Call this chicken soup for the prep football soul.

Scanning the headlines, local prep football fans (except those at Porters Chapel) would have right to be concerned.

Both Warren Central and Vicksburg were blasted in the Red Carpet Bowl by Ocean Springs and Gulfport, respectively.

Combined score: 84-7. Ouch, that’s going to leave a mark.

Across town, Pelahatchie blanked a young St. Aloysius team 14-0 in the opener at Balzli Field.

But things aren’t as bad as they appear. For starters, all three games were non-division games. They look bad, but don’t affect the postseason one iota.

In the case of Warren Central, the Vikings needed only to hold onto the ball and cut the defensive penalties and they would’ve been locked in a tight game with a very good Ocean Springs team. Shon Jackson ran the ball well, and the young WC offensive line was strong in the running game. They just have to improve in their passing protection and they will be a complete unit.

The defense did a good job of containing giant wideout Joe Morrow and running back Dewayne Cherry, who didn’t have a gain longer than 15 yards. But the penalties, most of which were encroachment calls, happened on third down, what WC coach Josh Morgan calls “the money down.” Cut those and the Vikings are in great shape defensively, especially since they are not playing as many guys both ways as they did last season. The Vikings play Lawrence County, another 0-1 team, on the road Friday.

Vicksburg needs to improve defensively on third down. The Admirals converted far too many third-and-long situations and continued far too many drives.

Cameron Cooksey is an excellent passer with some excellent pass-catching weapons and the VHS running game is much improved, but if the defense comes around, the Gators will be a tough out for any opponent. They will get a week off to hone off some rough edges.

The Flashes gave up just two big plays against a potent Pelahatchie team, but with the offense being very young at the skill positions, the margin for error will be slight. St. Al will have to lean heavily on a veteran line and the running of Carlton Campbell as senior Ford Biedenharn gets up to speed at quarterback. Biedenharn is better known for running the show at point guard for the Flashes’ basketball team, but like Heisman Trophy Charlie Ward, he can be effective at both. He just needs time. Like WC, the Flashes will face another 0-1 team, Tallulah, on the road on Friday.

Everyone wants to go undefeated, but losing these games won’t impact any playoff hopes All that can be done is learn from mistakes, improve and move on.

Imagine every game as an exam. The finals are quite a few weeks away and the games now are just quizzes.

Friday’s slate of games is just an opportunity to raise the grade.

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Steve Wilson is sports editor of The Vicksburg Post. You can follow him on Twitter at vpsportseditor. He can be reached at 601-636-4545, ext. 142 or at swilson@vicksburgpost.com.