The Warren Central Vikings couldn’t be faulted for overlooking their first-round opponent, DeSoto Central.

In the Madison Central Big Blue Tournament on March 16, the Vikings put a 13-2 run-rule decision on the Jaguars.

But that wasn’t a playoff game. With the higher stakes, the Vikings won’t be overlooking the potent Jaguars.

After a five-game slide, the Vikings finished the season on a three-game winning streak that secured the Division 4-6A title.

“It’s been an up-and-down season for us, but right now, we’ve got a lot of confidence at the plate, we’re pitching pretty good and our defense is really coming along,” WC coach Josh Abraham said.

The schedule was bumped up to avoid the predicted rain this weekend. Today’s Game 1, originally scheduled for Viking Field this evening, was moved to 3:30 p.m. at DeSoto Central, with the two teams coming back to Viking Field for Game 2 on Monday at 5 p.m. and Game 3, if needed, following immediately afterward.

DeSoto Central (10-12) limps into the series with a two-game losing skid to Horn Lake and Southaven that cost it the top spot in Division 1-6A.

The Jaguars are led by Ole Miss signee Casey Greene and burly Delta State signee Brent Langston.

Greene (2-4) will pitch Game 1 and play shortstop when he’s not on the mound. He has a fastball that tops out in the mid-80s plus a changeup and a strong curve, but the Vikings hit him well in their only meeting this season.

Offensively, Greene is the Jaguars’ primary run-producer with 24 RBIs and a .434 average with four doubles and a team-best five home runs.

Langston is the big bat in the Jaguar lineup, hitting .439 with three home runs and 10 doubles after leading the state with 13 homers in 2009. The first baseman is second on the team with 21 RBIs.

But DeSoto Central’s lineup isn’t just a two-player affair. It has three players, J.D. McBride, Josh Gaston and Garrett Blaylock, with at least 12 RBIs apiece.

“They can really swing the bats,” Abraham said. “They’re very strong offensively. They’ve got three guys that can really hit and two of them can really run. We’ve got to make our pitches to those guys and make the plays in the field.”

Warren Central (15-12) has been an offensive tear lately, scoring at least 10 runs in each of its last three games. That includes a 10-2 win over Vicksburg that secured the division title in the regular-season finale. First baseman Dylan Wooten leads the team with 36 RBIs and a robust .388 average, but the rest of the order has been mashing as well. Seven of the nine regulars in the lineup have at least 10 RBIs apiece, paced by catcher Carlos Gonzales (.367 average, eight doubles, 19 RBIs) and speedy outfielder Dee White (.326, 18 RBIs, three triples and 13 stolen bases).

“We’ve really worked on our approaches and it’s really paid off,” Abraham said. “(Wooten) has really big a big lift for us. He’s really good with runners in scoring position and he’s seeing the ball really well. He’s a very disciplined hitter and I’m very happy with what he’s given us in the heart of our order.”

Right-hander Jay Harper (5-3) will get start in Game 1, while Colby Key (5-1) will take the hill in Game 2.