By Cooper Sanders
The Columbus Dispatch

COLUMBUS — Warren Central picked up a dominant 35-0 Region 2-6A win over Columbus in to finish the regular season on Thursday.

Warren Central (7-3, 5-0 MHSAA Region 2-6A) had already clinched its second consecutive region championship, and will now set its sights on Saltillo (3-8) in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs next week.

Columbus (3-7, 1-4) did not qualify for the postseason.

“I still don’t think this group has reached their ceiling,” Warren Central coach Josh Morgan said. “I think that we’re getting hot at the right time.”

It was all Vikings from the start. Columbus fumbled inside its own 25-yard line on the first drive of the game, and it didn’t take long for the Vikings to capitalize. A five-play drive resulted in a 3-yard touchdown run from Aden Greer.

Over the course of the first half, the Falcons struggled with injuries at the quarterback position, which resulted in junior defensive back Javion Trimble taking the wheel for the remainder of the game. The Vikings, who have allowed only 32 points in five region games, continued to dominate defensively and pulled away in the second quarter.

Eric Collins Jr. scored two rushing touchdowns, from 3 and 14 yards, to give the Vikings a 21-0 lead with 5:05 left.

Just before halftime, they took a 28-0 lead after Rickey Neal Jr. made an outstanding catch over two defenders before racing into the end zone for a 54-yard touchdown.

Warren Central received the ball to start the second half and quickly scored. Greer ran in from 12 yards out, and the clock started rolling as the Vikings held a 35-0 lead.

Morgan was pleased with how both his offense and defense played. He especially liked how his defense came out playing fast and physical. This was its second shutout of the season.

“I thought we were pretty dominant on the defensive side of the ball,” Morgan said, “and once we got settled in, our offense got things going.”