For most of Mississippi, the MHSAA soccer playoffs start next Tuesday.

For Vicksburg and Canton, they’ll start Saturday.

Canton outlasted the Gators in an overtime shootout Tuesday night to force a one-game, winner-take-all matchup Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at Canton with the final playoff berth from Division 4-5A at stake.

Vicksburg will also play a division game Thursday at Ridgeland, but it has no bearing on the standings. Ridgeland has already clinched the division title, while Vicksburg and Canton have beaten last-place Lanier twice each.

The Gators rallied from a two-goal deficit at halftime of Tuesday’s game to tie it up 2-2 at the end of regulation. After two scoreless overtime periods, the game went into a penalty kick shootout which Canton won 4-2.

Greg Hayden scored both of Vicksburg’s goals in regulation. Sam Newton and Chance Williams scored in the shootout.

Vicksburg’s girls’ team received a forfeit victory over Canton, when Canton did not show up for the game.
The Missy Gators will play Ridgeland on Thursday, and need to win or lose by one goal to clinch the Division 4-5A championship and earn a home playoff game in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs next Tuesday.

(G) Florence 4, Warren Central 1

Hannah Herren scored two goals, and Macey Spencer had a goal and three assists as Florence beat Warren Central in a playoff tuneup Tuesday night.

Samantha Steen scored Florence’s other goal as the Eagles (14-3) found the net three times in the second half to pull away.

Laney Smith scored Warren Central’s goal, on a penalty kick in the second half. Keeper Layken Stockstill made 19 saves.

Both teams are headed to the playoffs. Florence won the Division 4-4A championship, while Warren Central (8-8-1) finished second in Division 4-6A.

Warren Central will open the Class 6A playoffs next Tuesday night, on the road at Northwest Rankin.

(B) Warren Central 2, Florence 1

Dillon Green had a goal and an assist as Warren Central’s boys’ soccer team beat Florence in its regular-season finale.

Green set up Hunt Holdiness a minute into the second half to break a scoreless tie, and then headed in a corner kick from Jacob Cochran to give the Vikings a 2-0 lead in the 61st minute.

Florence (9-9-1) didn’t score until Steven Watts found the net in extra time. The Eagles actually outshot Warren Central 20-10 as WC (13-3) experimented with several different formations and lineups in preparation for next Tuesday’s first-round Class 6A playoff game at Northwest Rankin.

Warren Central goal keeper Chase Graham made nine saves.