Warren Central claims 6A State Championship

STARKVILLE, Miss. (VDN) — Warren Central High School is once again on top of Mississippi football. The Vikings captured the 6A State Championship on Friday, defeating Hattiesburg 56-34 at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville to secure their first title since 1994 — and the first under head coach Josh Morgan.

Morgan went on to deliver another outstanding all-around performance, accounting for four total touchdowns — three rushing and one passing — before his postgame moment.

“All glory goes to God because he’s been with us every step of the way and I couldn’t be more proud of this team right now,” Morgan said.

The tone was set early when WC recovered a fumble on the second play of the game. Quarterback Nash Morgan sparked the opening drive with a 20-yard run before Javid Scott punched in a 20-yard touchdown. Jonah Artman’s extra point made it 7-0.

Hattiesburg responded with 14 unanswered points to take the lead early in the second quarter. Morgan answered by connecting with Mike Hall for gains of 9 and 18 yards, and finding Fred Mixon for an 18-yard completion that set up Scott’s 2-yard touchdown run. Artman tied the game at 14-14.

Late in the half, a dropped Hattiesburg punt placed the Vikings at the Tigers’ 22. Xavier Jackson rushed for 10 yards to set up Morgan’s 2-yard touchdown, giving WC a 21-14 lead. A defensive stand by T’Kylan Wright and Graham Streif couldn’t prevent Hattiesburg from scoring before the break, sending the teams into halftime tied 21-21.

The Vikings dominated the second half with explosive plays. Jackson opened the third quarter with a powerful 40-yard touchdown run to give WC a 28-21 lead. Hattiesburg answered to tie the game again at 28-28 with 3:59 left in the third. But Morgan and Hall delivered one of the game’s biggest moments shortly after, connecting on a 60-yard touchdown pass that put the Vikings ahead 35-28 with 47 seconds remaining in the quarter.

Early in the fourth, Morgan broke loose on a 35-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 42-28. Just minutes later, Jackson struck again, slicing through the defense for a 52-yard touchdown that pushed the margin to 49-28. Hattiesburg attempted to climb back with a 70-yard touchdown pass, cutting the lead to 49-34, but Morgan closed the door with a 52-yard touchdown run on the next series. He later came up big on defense as well, pulling down an interception with 4:36 left to seal the championship.

The offensive line delivered one of its best performances of the season, powering a 56-point title-clinching effort.

“We stepped up and had to be the leaders,” Carmelo Clark said. “They didn’t think we could do it but we’re bringing home the trophy.”

Morgan ran for 184 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. He also threw for 127 passing yards and one passing touchdown. Jackson ran for 111 yards and two touchdowns, while Scott had 67 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Hall had four receptions and 84 receiving yards with a touchdown.

For head coach Josh Morgan, the moment was nearly cinematic.

“A Hollywood script ain’t got nothing on this,” he said. “This is unbelievable and I’m proud for our guys and our community because it takes a lot of discipline to be a champion.”

With discipline, heart and big-play firepower, the Vikings brought a long-awaited championship back to Vicksburg.