Warren Central claims North State Title in 45–42 thriller over Ridgeland

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — The Warren Central Vikings are the North State champions after a dramatic 45–42 win over Ridgeland on Friday night. WC will play for a state championship next week — the program’s first trip to the title game under head coach Josh Morgan and its first appearance since 1994.

”This is a team game, and the greatest team game there is and we picked each other up in different areas,” Josh Morgan said. This is not about all of us. It’s about our community and we want to make them proud.”

Quarterback Nash Morgan delivered a standout performance, accounting for four touchdowns as he led the Vikings’ explosive offense.

The Vikings opened the game by running the ball effectively, with Morgan picking up 17 yards and Javid Scott adding a 12-yard gain. Blake Caruthers hauled in a 20-yard pass before Morgan capped the drive with an 11-yard touchdown run. Jonah Artman’s PAT gave WC a 7–0 lead.

Defenders Jamari Gaines and T’Kylan Wright made key early stops, but Ridgeland answered with a 1-yard touchdown sneak by D.K. Wallace to tie the game.

WC quickly responded as Morgan broke loose for 29 yards, then connected with Layton Lee for a 15-yard touchdown pass to make it 14–7. Early in the second quarter, Morgan hit his younger brother Doss Morgan for 15 yards and later broke free for 37. Scott finished the drive with an 8-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 21–7.

Ridgeland added a short touchdown with 1:32 left in the half, but Artman drilled a 47-yard field goal before halftime. Samuel Ross and Gaines each recorded sacks to close the quarter.

The second half turned into an offensive shootout. Wallace opened with a 50-yard touchdown run, cutting the lead to 24–21. WC answered when Xavier Jackson raced 53 yards for a touchdown. Ridgeland struck again with a 50-yard score by Ashton Gorden, trimming it to 31–28.

Morgan connected with Lee on a 20-yard pass and later scored on a 12-yard run to push the lead to 38–28. Gorden answered with a 34-yard touchdown to make it 38–35 entering the fourth quarter.

Ridgeland recovered an onside kick, and Wallace’s 31-yard touchdown run gave the Titans their first lead at 42–38. But Morgan responded once more, breaking free for a 36-yard touchdown run, his fourth score of the night, to put WC back in front 45–42.

WC’s defense delivered in the final minutes, forcing a stop after a Vikings fumble in the end zone gave Ridgeland one final possession. The unit held firm, securing the North State championship.

Warren Central will travel to Starkville next Friday to face Hattiesburg High School for the state title.