A win tonight at Hughes Field against the Provine Rams will put the Warren Central Vikings into the Class 5A playoffs.

Three weeks ago, it looked like the Vikings were out of it at 1-2 with Murrah, Clinton and Provine up next. Then WC came back to beat both Murrah (17-7) and Clinton (28-23) to move into the region’s playoff hunt at 3-2 and claim a tiebreaker edge over the Arrows (6-2, 3-2).

“I think Clinton now has to win out while if we beat Provine, that puts us in the playoffs,” WC coach Curtis Brewer said. “Our kids played really hard against Clinton and it was a great win, but the Clinton game is over.”

The Vikings will have to get refocused because Provine (6-2, 4-1) is the biggest team on their schedule. The Rams are also in a three-way tie for first in the region with Madison Central and Northwest Rankin.

“Their team average is 240 pounds and that’s for all 22 starters. The offense averages 272 per man. The smallest lineman is 275, they have a 235-pound fullback, a 215-pound tailback and a 200-pound receiver,” Brewer said.

Four of the Rams’ linemen are seniors led by center Kevin Taylor at 5-foot-11 and 310 pounds. The left side of the line features 285-pounders Jared Tillman and Walter Tabb. William Crump is the 235-pound battering ram at fullback.

Making the team go is quarterback Nickoe Whitley, who for the past two years, was the starter at Murrah. Provine eked out a 7-6 decision over the Mustangs last week at Newell Field in Jackson.

“Murrah was pretty motivated for that game because Whitley left them to go over to Provine. He’s got great feet, has an accurate arm. He’s the best quarterback in the region because he can both run and throw,” Brewer said.

Two years ago, the Vikings pulled out a six-point win at Provine. The Rams won last year’s game at Viking Stadium 14-3.

The Vikings will have to rely on a stout defense led by a strong front seven, including linemen R.W. Comans, John Gustavis and Bennie Peoples. Gustavis and Comans teamed up to create the key play against Clinton. Gustavis sacked Arrow quarterback Wesley Mounger, forcing a fumble which Comans returned for a touchdown to erase a 23-22 deficit.

“Gustavis is a big strong kid who’s done a really good job going from ninth grade football to being on the road to becoming a good 5A football player,” Brewer said.

Peoples, arguably the Vikings’ best player at 270 pounds, had a huge game against Clinton, racking up 18 tackles. Comans had 12 stops.

“The thing with R.W. and Bennie is that they are versatile enough that we can play them in different spots. Both can play end, tackle or inside linebacker. And we move them from one place to another so that we can attack the other team’s strength,” Brewer said.

They also create space so Joe Harris can make tackles. Harris leads the Vikings with 95 tackles, an average of 10.8 per game.

“Joe is so quick, he’s moving when the ball moves,” Brewer adds.

The Viking offense has shown steady improvement. WC had 232 yards in total offense against Clinton, including 177 rushing. Travis Bell led the way with 97 yards and two touchdowns. Junior quarterback Keaton Sanders completed seven passes for 57 yards, including a 27-yard TD pass to Quinton Truly.