The Red Carpet Bowl is returning to an old school matchup in next year’s games.

For 18 years, Pearl and Warren Central played each other regularly. Normally, the Pirates would be the Vikings’ next opponent after the Red Carpet Bowl. Next August, the Pearl Pirates will be the Red Carpet Bowl opponent for the host Vikings. It will mark the first time the schools have played each other in football since 2000. The opening game will pit Brandon against Vicksburg.

Vikings coach Josh Morgan said he happy to see the Pirates back on the WC schedule.

“It’s good stuff,” Morgan said. “For as long as I can remember, we always played Pearl in an early-season game. From the time I was a little kid through my senior year in 1997, we played Pearl. I also like that we have Brandon coming in. I think these are two great teams for the Red Carpet Bowl.”

Vicksburg attorney and state Sen. Briggs Hopson III helped facilitate the matchups for the 49th and 50th Red Carpet games.

“For our 49th and 50th games, we felt it was something we needed to do,” Hopson said. “There is a natural rivalry there between Warren Central, Pearl and Brandon going back to their days in the Little Dixie Conference.”

Incoming RCB chairman Travis Wayne Vance also was pleased with landing the two Rankin County schools.

“Pearl and Brandon are two excellent programs,” Vance said. “This was something that just worked out well for the Red Carpet Bowl. Pearl and Brandon are big rivals as well. Since they play each other the following week, this will allow them to scout each other.”

Vicksburg coach Alonzo Stevens said he couldn’t remember the last time the Gators played Brandon in football. The two schools play each other in all other sports.

“It has to be at least the 80s since we’ve played them,” Stevens said. “It should be a good draw for the Red Carpet Bowl folks.”

In other scheduling matters, Stevens said Vicksburg will maintain its three other non-region games from the past two seasons.

“Same three, Lawrence County, Richwood and Tylertown,” Stevens said. The Gators have lost all six games during the first two years with the three opponents. The only change in Vicksburg’s schedule will be the replacing of former region foe Grenada with Jim Hill.

Warren Central has dropped Lawrence County for Callaway, but will keep trips to Hattiesburg and Natchez on the schedule.