[08/29/02]Warren Central’s opening game in the Red Carpet Bowl will start under the bright light of day.

The Vikings’ coaches are starting in the dark, though.

As Warren Central prepared for its game against Liberty-Eylau of Texarkana, Texas, players and coaches were scrambling to figure out an opponent that has never before played in Vicksburg.

“We haven’t seen them with the naked eye,” WC coach Robert Morgan said. “They somehow found out we had a spring game and came over to watch our spring game, but we didn’t have a chance to watch them.

“… I heard they hired a new offensive coordinator and really don’t know what to expect from him.”

Morgan said he received two scouting tapes from Liberty-Eylau, but both were early season games and he had trouble getting a handle on the opposition.

The Leopards, coming off back-to-back 7-3 seasons, have a new offensive coordinator, an almost entirely new defense and a lot of question marks.

“I’m concerned that we only have one returning starter on defense,” said Leopards’ coach Joe Drennon, who lost 10 starters from a defense that allowed fewer than 200 yards a game last year.

The Leopards will rely on returning skill players offensively, led by junior quarterback Brandon Reed.

The 6-foot, 195-pounder threw for 478 yards and two touchdowns last season, but also rushed for 508 yards and six touchdowns.

The agile quarterback is a concern for Morgan and WC’s defense.

“I’ve told our players that he’s their best player,” Morgan said. “We have to contain him on defense. That will be our biggest challenge.”

In addition to Parker, senior Ivan Martin ran for 12 scores and 850 yards in 2001 and the teams best receiver, Nick Robinson, led the team with 171 yards on 10 catches.

The Leopards have one returning starter on the offensive line, playing into the hands of a very aggressive and experienced Vikings’ defense.

Led by linebackers Tyler DeRossette and Andrew Patten, the Vikings swarm to the ball, finishing last season by allowing less than 12 points per game.

“We expect them to be fast on defense,” Drennon said. “It’s hard to judge by last year’s film because neither school has the same athletes. We’re kind of going at it blind.”

Warren Central will counter with senior quarterback Jeremy Ferguson, a senior who only completed one pass last season, a 31-yard touchdown.

“I have high expectations for him,” Morgan said of Ferguson. “He has everything it takes to be a quarterback.

“The biggest thing for him is to play and get some games under his belt.”

Richmond Fields, who rushed for 792 yards and scored five touchdowns, will anchor the Vikings’ running game.

Warren Central lost last year’s Red Carpet Bowl to Wayne County, 15-10, at Viking Stadium. Morgan said he is using this year’s opener as a gauge as his team prepares for a grueling schedule.

“I see this game as being very important to us,” Morgan said. “You can’t win them all if you don’t win the first one.”