Warren Central went on the road Tuesday and secured a favorable path through the MHSAA Class 6A boys soccer playoffs.

Jacob Porter scored three goals as the Vikings beat Ridgeland 5-0 to clinch the MHSAA Region 2-6A championship.

The Vikings (15-2-2, 7-0 Region 2-6A) won their second consecutive region championship. Besides that honor, it guarantees that they’ll have home field advantage for as long as they last in the bracket.

Warren Central dominated Ridgeland (7-9, 4-2/) on both ends of the field. It had a 17-2 advantage in total shots, and 12-1 in shots on goal. The only save keeper Jamarian Shelly had to make was on a free kick early in the second half.

Porter scored all three of his goals in the first half, in the 13th, 28th and 32nd minute as Warren Central raced to a 3-0 lead at halftime.

Charlie Esparza scored in the 47th minute, and Shiem Lott in the 66th to close out the scoring. Nick Lee and Reed McClurg assisted two of Porter’s goals, and Luke Bond and Duke Esparza had assists in the second half.

The playoffs don’t begin until Feb. 4, but Warren Central only has two regular-season games remaining. Both are on the road, Friday at Neshoba Central and Jan. 24 at Leake Central.

St. Aloysius 5, Muddy River 1
Sam Hall scored two goals and assisted on another as the St. Aloysius Flashes beat Muddy River with another high-scoring performance on Tuesday.

It was the third time in four games since New Year’s that the Flashes (8-2-1) have scored at least five goals.

Dalton Windham had a goal and an assist, and Jaden Wheeldon and JR McCain scored one goal each. Eli Shiers and John Ellis Montgomery both had assists.

St. Al will go on the road to Bayou Academy on Thursday for a key MAIS Division II West game.

Girls
Warren Central 2, Ridgeland 1
Warren Central scored two early goals, then used its defense to hang on for a crucial Region 2-6A girls soccer victory against Ridgeland on Tuesday.

Allie Mason scored, then assisted on a goal by Brooke Steed to give Warren Central a 2-0 lead less than 20 minutes into the game. Addi Mullen assisted on Mason’s goal.

Ridgeland (7-8, 3-2 Region 2-6A), which was playing to keep its region title hopes alive, pressed hard after that but didn’t crack the Lady Vikes’ defensive wall until only about 12 minutes remained.

Warren Central keeper Hayleigh Simmons made eight saves.

Warren Central (14-4-1, 6-1) hung on to stay in control of its fate in the Region 2-6A championship race. It is effectively tied with Neshoba Central (12-3-3, 5-1) and will play at Neshoba on Friday.

Warren Central lost 1-0 in its first meeting with Neshoba Central and will need to win the rematch — preferably by at least two goals to clinch the head-to-head tiebreaker — to claim its second straight region title.