CLINTON – The last Clinton-Warren Central contest at Roy Burkett Field was typical of the series, a tight, hard-fought battle.

The visiting Vikings came away with the 24-21 win, making the key plays in the fourth quarter. The result leaves Warren Central optimistically eyeing the final two regular season games in pursuit of a second straight Region 2-5A title.

With the Vikings’ win and Provine’s stunning 34-13 loss to Murrah, WC (6-3, 4-1) is all but in the 5A playoffs for the 21st straight year.

Clinton, meanwhile, must look toward next season as the second straight three-point loss leaves the Arrows 1-4 in the region and 3-6 overall.

&#8220We didn’t make the plays when we had the opportunity,” Clinton coach Scott Brown said.

Vikings coach Curtis Brewer was glad to see his team rise up to make a crucial scoring drive, answering a Clinton score off an interception return that gave the Arrows a 14-10 lead in the fourth quarter.

&#8220We come back in three plays, getting a big run by Michael Holt on a reverse,” Brewer said of Holt’s 40-yard scamper on a reverse that put the Vikings on the Clinton 21.

&#8220We did a good job of setting up the fake and the line blocked well,” Holt said. &#8220It got everybody excited and I think having fresh legs, helped us.”

Holt was in the game after the regular back, Carleton Davis, was resting following 22 hard carries for 97 yards against a solid Clinton defense.

Holt later got the go-ahead score on a 17-yard sweep in which he bolted to the left-side pylon. Joey Bonelli’s kick made it 17-14 with just over six minutes to play.

&#8220We played hard and the defense and our special teams played well,” Brewer said. &#8220Clinton is on the verge of being a good team, they just didn’t get the breaks.”

In the final two minutes, it was the Vikings who caught two big breaks to seal it. Facing a third-and-seven at his own 35, Clinton quarterback Wesley Mounger was trying to find his tight end but threw the ball instead to WC linebacker Dexter Carson.

Carson intercepted the pass at the 45 and lumbered down field to the Clinton 13 before running out of gas.

&#8220I was just trying to stay deep in my zone, thinking they may run something to my side,” Carson said. &#8220Mounger’s a good quarterback, but we just had to stick with him and play hard.”

A 9-yard gain by Davis with 40 seconds left pushed him over the 100-yard mark for the third straight game at 106. It also got the Vikings thinking of six more points.

&#8220We thought about taking the knee but we wanted to run one more play. To get 24 points is a lot for us,” Brewer said.

It nearly turned into a disaster as Carson lost the handle after being hit near the goal line. Fortunately, quarterback Ryan Williams was there to fall on the loose ball for the touchdown and a 24-14 lead.