OLIVE BRANCH — Like in the election, early returns can be deceiving.

Warren Central forced a three-and-out on Olive Branch’s first possession Friday night, and a fumble on a punt return fell just out of reach. Then the defending Class 6A champions stepped on the gas.

Quarterback Samuel Craft hit Dontrell Nelson for a 72-yard touchdown pass on the opening play of Olive Branch’s second series, igniting a 53-21 rout of the Vikings in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs.

The Conquistadors (11-1) put three more scores on the board before WC’s offense could get a first down. Craft hit running back Byrekus Payne for a 20-yard touchdown on a screen, took a keeper 3 yards to paydirt on Olive Branch’s next possession, and found Malik Mayweather on a post pattern down the middle of the field for his final TD of the first half and a 25-0 lead with 8:22 left in the second quarter.