A .500 record would never look so good for Warren Central.

Warren Central coach Josh Morgan stressed to his team this week the importance of finishing its non-region schedule 2-2. To get there, the Vikings must beat visiting Natchez (2-1) tonight at Viking Stadium.

Warren Central (1-2) is coming off a gut-wrenching 17-13 loss Saturday night to unbeaten Hattiesburg. They led the Tigers 13-10 until the final three minutes, when quarterback Jamal Hatten broke loose on a 97-yard touchdown run. Instead of a big signature win for Morgan and his program, the Vikings must re-focus on the Bulldogs.

“We’ve been stressing the importance of getting that second win and having a great taste in our mouths going into the bye week,” Morgan said. “A win would give us a lot of momentum. We need a quick turnaround and put our full attention on Natchez. We need to get to 2-2.”

Warren Central senior defensive tackle Mack Thomas has bought in to Morgan’s plan for a second win.

“We’ve done a lot of good preparing this week,” Thomas said. “It’s time for us to move on from Hattiesburg and try to get to 2-2 with a win this week.”

For the third week in a row, Warren Central faces a strong dual-threat quarterback. Natchez’s Derrian Johnson had 151 yards rushing in a 14-9 win over Jefferson County on Aug. 24.

“Derrian Johnson is their man,” Morgan said. “They like to spread you out and then run the ball behind him.”

When the Bulldogs need to pass, they bring in Anthony Robinson, who is 12-of-22 for 104 yards this season. Natchez beat Ferriday (La.) 33-6 last week.

The Bulldog defense is led by linebacker Charles Bates with 29 tackles.

Warren Central had success last week with the running game. Tailback Aaron Stamps paces the Vikings with 227 yards and three TDs.

“We did very well running the ball and then that forced Hattiesburg to sell out and put eight in the box,” Morgan said. “When they took the lead, they began blitzing and we could not counterpunch.”

Morgan and his staff have worked on improving the pass blocking schemes. That could mean more time for quarterback Carlisle Koestler (21-of-53 for 262 yards, two touchdowns) to find receivers Kourey Davis (five receptions for 54 yards), Justin Williams and Marcus Ragan.

Thomas and his defensive teammates will get a lift this week with the return of sophomore Curtis Ross. He has missed all three games with a strained hamstring.

“We get Ross back this week and he’ll play what we call our “Dog” safety,” Morgan said.

The WC defense has been led through three games by another sophomore, linebacker Derrick Thomas with 22 1⁄2 tackles. Linebacker Chipper Leech has 17 stops.

“Derrick’s done a fine job for us as a sophomore,” Morgan said.

On the web

The Week 4 edition of the High School Lowdown video preview has analyses of tonight’s games and an interview with Porters Chapel coach Wade Patrick. Check it out at vicksburgpost.com