Exactly four months from today, Warren Central’s football team will try to become only the second team in five years to beat South Panola.

The two teams will meet in the second game of the Red Carpet Bowl on Aug. 31 at Viking Stadium.

Instead of starting the countdown alongside supporters, the Vikings are busy trying to figure out which 22 players to run out on the field against mighty Panola, winners of 60 straight games and 74 of their last 75.

&#8220Right now, that’s probably in the back of the kids’ minds,” Brewer said. &#8220It’s more of a ‘what are we doing to get better.’ It’s a situation where you need to get your best. If you are worried about who you’re playing instead of getting the right guys on the field and evaluation everyone, you’re getting the cart in front of the horse.”

Warren Central entered its second week of spring football Monday with film study before hitting the field. The team will practice every day leading up to a home spring game on May 10 against Northwest Rankin.

Brewer said the three-week spring practice is essential when trying to find the best players at each position. After May 10, the team won’t practice again as a unit until August.

&#8220The biggest thing you do is take the upperclassmen to prove that they are ready to play,” Brewer said. &#8220It’s a chance for some players to chisel their names in their positions.”

Ninety-nine players – rising sophomores, juniors and seniors – made it through the first week of spring. Brewer said a few may drop off, but he is pleased with the team’s numbers.

They’ll all be on a mission to return Warren Central to the playoffs after the team missed last year’s postseason with a 4-7 record.

WC did end the year on a positive note, however, with a convincing win over archrival Vicksburg. The two are scheduled to meet in the second week of the season after the Gators were dropped to Class 4A, eliminating the two playing on the final week of the regular season.

Warren Central will return the bulk of their skill players, led by rising junior Joel Forbes, who burst onto the scene at running back last year. He finished second in Warren County with 813 yards on 150 carries and eight touchdowns.

Quarterback Keaton Sanders returns under center after throwing for 386 yards and only two touchdowns.

The Vikings will need to replace the bulk of their offensive line, however, with the loss of four starters from last season.

The biggest hole to fill will be on special teams. Mississippi State signee Eric Richards was the team’s punter, field goal and extra point kicker and kickoff man. Richards made eight field goals, made 20 of 22 extra points and led the area with a 45.4 yard per punt average.

The Vikings’ spring game, which is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. on May 10, will be half varsity and half junior varsity.

&#8220We will break them into halves – varsity and JV,” Brewer said. &#8220The reason we do that is because they are not conditioned yet for four quarters.”