Citing a lack of advertising, the radio home of Warren Central football for the past decade will not be carrying games this fall.

“We just couldn’t sell it,” River 101.3 FM station manager Ron Anderson said. “Our expenses are up because of the gas involved and our talent expenses are up as well. Yeah, we’re going to miss it.”

River 101’s loss has become another station’s gain.

“Yes, we’re going to do it,’ said Mark Jones, station manager at V 105.5 FM.

“We’ve been doing Vicksburg High for several years and having Warren Central will enable us to have both public high schools. It increases our local efforts and I think it’s important for those folks who can’t go to the games, or for those who like to hear the game while at the stadium, to continue to do so,” Jones said.

Because of the sudden pickup there will be some early season adjustments. Ricky Mitchell, the longtime “Voice of the Vikings” is currently recovering from back surgery and will not be able to be on the air until Sept. 12.

“Ricky’s coming back for the South Pike game. He’s the voice of Warren Central and will continue to do the analysis. He’s looking at some different possibilities for the play-by-play and has someone in mind but it’s not settled yet. This was kind of thrusted upon us unexpectedly,” Jones said.

Tonight’s season opener between the Vikings and Clarksdale in the 46th annual Red Carpet Bowl will be carried by V105.5 for the 6 p.m. kickoff at Vicksburg’s Memorial Stadium. David Boolos and David Day will be handling the call.

The big change for WC fans, however, will be for next week’s clash with archrival Vicksburg. The game will be carried exclusively on 1490 AM.

“With Ricky’s back surgery, we’re going to have to go with just one broadcast for the Vicksburg game. It will be on News-Talk 1490,” Jones said.

Broadcasts of St. Aloysius High School football were also dropped by River 101’s sister station, 104.5. The station had been carrying Flashes games for the past two years.

“Our advertisers just had a problem including football in their budgets,” Anderson said.