Warren Central has entered the eye of the storm.

Sandwiched in the middle of three games against playoff contenders and state powers is its game this Friday night at Murrah (2-6, 0-3 Region 2-6A). It should be a respite from the week-in, week-out grind that is life in the upper half of Region 2-6A, but it’s a little bit more than that this time.

For the Vikings (6-1, 2-1), it’s a chance to shake off their first loss of the season and straighten things out before their showdown next week with No. 1 Clinton. It’s an opportunity they’re thankful for and not taking lightly.

“We’re ready to play and get back on the field again. Our biggest thing is we’re anxious to fix our mistakes,” Warren Central coach Josh Morgan said. “For whatever reason, when something goes wrong everybody wants to find blame. What we’ve talked about is getting back to us. Don’t panic. Turn last week’s outcome into an advantage for us.”

Last week’s outcome was a 28-25 loss that knocked Warren Central from the small ranks of the unbeatens in Class 6A. Only Clinton (7-0) and Tupelo (7-0) remain now.

Losing was disappointing, but the way the Vikings lost was even more so. They failed to score twice on drives inside the 10-yard line, missed two field goals and two extra points, had a bad snap blow up a key two-point conversion attempt, and had a couple of defensive lapses that allowed Madison Central to either regain momentum or extend its lead at pivotal points in the game.

Morgan read off the laundry list of missteps with an air of frustration, then quickly gained an air of optimism. The team’s 6-0 start is proof that the Vikings are a good team that had a bad night, and he believes their first loss — as bad as it was — could snap them back into focus for the critical stretch run.

After facing Murrah, the Vikings host Clinton and play at defending Class 6A champion Starkville in back-to-back weeks. The loss should also dial them in for what could easily be an overlooked game against Murrah.

“With the loss this week, we’re probably going to be more focused than if we won that game,” Morgan said. “We just have to handle this the right way. We just have to rally the troops and circle the wagons.”

Region 2-6A is stacked with playoff contenders and improving teams. Three of its members (Clinton, Warren Central and Northwest Rankin) are in the top five of this week’s Associated Press Class 6A poll, while Starkville also received votes and Madison Central proved it’s not far behind with its win over the Vikings.

That’s a world this Murrah team is far removed from. The Mustangs’ two victories are against winless Lanier and one-win Jim Hill. It has given up 154 points in three region games and was routed 54-0 by Clinton last week.

Murrah has traditionally been a capable opponent that has given Warren Central some trouble over the years, however. It can throw the ball with quarterback Steven Mitchell (956 passing yards, nine touchdowns, four interceptions) and wide receiver Octavious Olowo-ake (30 receptions, 543 yards, five touchdowns), and has a good corps of athletic players.

Morgan said the Mustangs are down, but dangerous if they’re allowed to be.

“It’s the same typical problems Murrah always gives you. They’ll probably be bigger and more athletic than us,” Morgan said. “We need to come out and play at a high level and create some separation. If you let Murrah hang around, they’re dangerous.”

The Vikings have done a good job this season of jumping on teams early. They’ve scored first in five of their seven games this season, and on the opening drive three times. They had opportunities to score on the opening drive two other times, but fumbled inside the 5-yard line in the opener against Oak Grove and missed a field goal last week against Madison Central.

“We definitely thrive off of being in control,” Morgan said. “We look to get back to being ourselves and doing what we do, and doing our jobs, and getting back to Warren Central football.”

FRIDAY’S AREA GAMES
All games start at 7 p.m.
Warren Central at Murrah (Radio: 105.5 FM)
Central Hinds at St. Aloysius (Radio: 101.3 FM)
Benton Academy at PCA (Radio: 104.5 FM)
Vicksburg at Ridgeland (Radio: 1490 AM)
Humphreys Academy at Sharkey-Issaquena
Tallulah Academy at Park Place Christian
Delta Streets at Rebul Academy
Port Gibson at Franklin County
Online: For live scoring updates on Friday night, visit twitter.com/vixpostsports or facebook.com/thevicksburgpost