For two years, Warren Central wandered the football wilderness. The once-proud program suffered through its leanest stretch in more than 40 years, winning only three games combined in the 2010 and 2011 seasons and leading some supporters to wonder if the glory days would ever return.

The 2012 Vikings are doing their best to bring them back.

With Friday’s 35-31 win over Murrah, Warren Central moved into a tie for second place in Region 2-6A. It can clinch its first playoff berth since 2009 by beating Clinton this week, and is on track to host a playoff game for the first time since 2004 and finish with a winning record for the first time since 2005.

With three games left in the regular season, it is indeed turning into a special year for WC.

“We’re becoming number two in the district. If we keep winning like this, we’ll get a home playoff game. And this young team will get the experience of playoffs and leadership, and advance to the state championship next year — if we don’t do it this year,” said WC senior Kourey Davis, the team’s best receiver who is also a starter at cornerback.

Warren Central’s resurgence has come largely from a revived offense, solid defense, and a bit of moxie.

Quarterback Carlisle Koestler surpassed the 1,000-yard passing mark for the season against Murrah, while running backs Aaron Stamps and Greg King have accounted for more than 900 of the team’s 1,101 rushing yards.

More important than the stats, however, is the nerve WC has shown in some pressure situations.

After Murrah scored a touchdown with 36 seconds left in the first half, King returned the ensuing kickoff to midfield. Koestler completed two passes to Davis and Justin Williams to move the ball to the 2-yard line with 5 seconds left.

Instead of a quick pass, a run up the middle was called. Stamps took it in for a touchdown that put WC ahead 21-13 at halftime and later proved to be the difference in the game.

In the fourth quarter, the WC coaching staff gambled again. Facing fourth-and-15 at the Murrah 39, trailing 25-21 and with a little over 8 minutes left, they called for a fake punt. Hunter Bell’s pass to Marcus Ragan was incomplete, but Ragan drew a pass interference call that kept the drive alive. Stamps scored on a 2-yard run a few plays later.

Defensively, the Vikings have been stingy when they need to be. They’ve allowed 81 points in the last two games, but had three huge interceptions in the win over Murrah. Curtis Ross returned one pick 34 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter, Damon Stamps had another pick in the second that set up a touchdown, and Davis’ leaping grab in the end zone with 14 seconds left in the game preserved the victory.

Davis said the Vikings haven’t played to their full potential yet, but are gaining steam.

“We’ve still got some bumps and bruises we’ve got to get up. The defense is still allowing too many yards, and the offense is still not clicking. But we’ll be all right,” Davis said.

Although the Vikings (4-4, 3-1 Region 2-6A) can clinch a playoff berth this week, they still have plenty of work to do before earning the right to host a first-round game. Even if they beat Clinton and Vicksburg next week, the Vikings will likely have to beat Jim Hill (5-3, 3-1) in the regular-season finale Nov. 2 to finish in second place in the region.

WC and Jim Hill are currently tied for second. Jim Hill plays first-place Madison Central and Murrah before it faces WC.

“That’s where we need to be, and we’ve got to finish this thing off. That starts this week with Clinton, and we’ve got to get ready for it,” WC coach Josh Morgan said.