Greg Head: VDN’s Boys’ Soccer Head Coach of the Year 2025

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — A winning season, another district championship, and a return to the North State Championship defined Warren Central High School’s boys soccer campaign this year. The Vikings finished with an impressive 18-3-2 record, falling just one game short of a state title and securing their place among the top teams in Mississippi.

Leadership was a key component of the team’s success, and much of that credit goes to Head Coach Greg Head, who has been named VDN’s Boys Soccer Coach of the Year.

“I thought we did great. We set some goals at the beginning of the season, and we reached almost all of them,” Head said. “We came up a little bit short, but they fought real hard, and we had a lot of players score goals this year.”

After losing several key players, Head reinforced his defense by adding a goalkeeper to the lineup. First-year player Jamarian Shelly joined the team and quickly emerged as a standout athlete.

Head said a strong defense, anchored by three seniors, played a significant role in the team’s success.

“I was a little worried about the defense at first, but the seniors really did great. They all stepped up and did well, which helped the whole team,” he said.

Under Head’s guidance, the Vikings opened the season with eight consecutive wins before a loss to Greenville. They then swept through their district, allowing only three goals in regional competition.

While the defense carried much of the load, Warren Central’s offense also shined—often overwhelming their opponents. One of the biggest highlights of the season came from sophomore Jacob Porter, who scored 26 goals to break the school’s single-season record.

“It makes me feel good that I’ve got him for two more years,” Head said, laughing. “Once he gets a step behind defenders, it’s hard to stop him. Most teams just focused on him, which actually helped us.”

In the playoffs, the Vikings earned victories over Saltillo and Lake Cormorant before suffering a heartbreaking loss to Center Hill that ended their title run.

“I had to tell them to remember this feeling for next year because we were so close. We did have one person out, but we’re going to use this as motivation,” Head said. “I knew two years ago when we struggled that we’d be better in the future,” he said. “I want all of this for them, and next year we’re aiming for more than a district championship. But overall, this makes me feel good.”