Larry Warner, a local sports legend

Former Warren Central star Larry Warner left a legacy that the city of Vicksburg will never forget.

From being the fourth string to becoming one of the best football players in school history, Warner worked day in and out to achieve accomplishments that he thought would never happen.

Warner grew up in the Bovina area near Vicksburg where he was raised in a two-bedroom house along with 13 other family members. Warner’s family remained close. He looked up to his two older brothers while being raised by his mother and grandparents.

Warner did not play football until he was in the eighth grade at Warren Central Junior High School where he was a very undersized running back. By the time he made it to the 10th grade and Warren Central High, he was the fourth string running back not playing any varsity games.

He would eventually get his chance to shine in his 11th grade season.

Entering that 2003 season, Warner was still not the starting running back. Being undersized, it was difficult for others to see his potential. Even when the starting running back was injured, eyes would still not turn to Warner. The Vikings attempted to place other players in front of Warner, but he would get his chance during a game against Forrest Hill where he rushed for over 100 yards and three touchdowns. Warner would finish the season rushing for 1,200 yards, and he secured a starting spot going into the his senior season.

Warner entered the 2004 season with plenty of confidence and ready to show his skills. During the Red Carpet Bowl, Warner rushed for 301 yards against Southaven including a 99-yard touchdown run. Warner ran through defenses all season leading his team to a 10-1 record and rushing for 1,800 yards and over 2,000 all-purpose yards. The Viking fell short in the playoffs, though, and did not reach the championship.

After high school football, Warner had to figure out his next move, because by then he had a daughter who was born in his senior year. No big universities in Mississippi would give him a chance because of his short height, and he did not have the grades for a Division I school. Warren Central coach Brian Oakes encouraged him to attend Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College to play football where he had to fight for another starting spot.

During his first year at Gulf Coast, Warner mostly played on special teams and as backup running back behind Dantrell Savage who went on to play in NFL. The next year, in Warner’s sophomore season, he would become the star he was born to be. Warner ended up rushing for over 1,200 yards becoming an All-American while waiting on a big Division I offer.

Warner eventually chose Southern Illinois has his next college home with the advice from coach Oaks who Warner mentions as a very important person in his life. Warner would break out in stardom at Southern Illinois even while facing hard times such as the death of his mother during his last season. Warner finished at Southern Illinois with 1,790 yards and 15 touchdowns while becoming an All-American.

By 2009, Warner finished his bachelor’s degree in recreation. He would go to coach at Carbondale High School in Illinois before becoming a graduate assistant for Southern Illinois. He would eventually follow his college coach Steve Campbell to Central Arkansas and then to the University of South Alabama, which is where he is the running backs coach today.

He also married his high school sweetheart, Dominique, and they have two beautiful daughters, Penny and Alivia.

“Do whatever it takes,” Warner says in advising young players, “and it is not all about you.”