Friday’s game between Clinton and Warren Central was what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object.

The Arrows, led by quarterback Cam Akers, were averaging 31 points per game and had been held under 350 yards only once. The Vikings, on the other hand, had given up 46 points all year and were coming off a shutout of one of the state’s most explosive offenses.

The immovable object seemed to win out in every category except the final score. Despite holding the versatile Akers to only 113 total yards and 45 on the ground — and the Arrows to 240 yards as a team — the Vikings took their first loss of the season, 14-13.

It was a strong performance heading into this week’s showdown at No. 1 Starkville, but one that coach Josh Morgan said was far from perfect.

“I expected them to do that. I expected us to play well,” Morgan said. “I still think we missed too many tackles and let them stay on the field too long, especially early in the first half with them moving the chains and converting third downs and fourth downs.”

Clinton’s offensive output was its second-lowest of the season, and worst in a victory. Warren Central, though, struggled to get off the field when it counted most. The Arrows converted three fourth downs on the opening drive before Chris Stamps blocked a field goal attempt, and later scored a touchdown on fourth down to take a 14-0 lead in the fourth quarter.

Warren Central’s offense also sputtered throughout the first half, as quarterback Alex Stevens tossed two key interceptions and the Vikings scraped together only 51 yards.

“I thought we started off early on playing a little tentative and playing scared not to mess up because of the magnitude of the game,” Morgan said. “I think we started off slow but, again, hats off to Clinton. They did a fabulous job.”

The slow start hindered the Vikings, but they responded with two touchdowns in seven minutes and gave themselves a chance to tie the game with 37 seconds left — a silver lining to a heartbreaking loss they’ll have to get over quickly with Region 2-6A still up for grabs in the final weeks of regular season play.

Warren Central (8-1, 4-1 Region 2-6A) can still win the region championship by winning its last two games, and if Starkville (9-0, 5-0) beats Clinton (8-1, 4-1) in the regular-season finale on Nov. 7.

WC also needs one more win to clinch a playoff berth.

“I can’t take anything away from Clinton. They did a phenomenal job. They’ve got a phenomenal ball club. I thought they outplayed us in the first half,” Morgan said. “We started coming on there toward the end and tried to find a way to win and just came up short.”

On the radio

Friday, 7 p.m., 105.5 FM

Warren Central at Starkville