WC shutout Pearl 21-0 on Friday

Warren Central High School shut out Pearl 21-0 on Friday night.

“We played hard and good like our coaches told us to and we did it for them,” running back EJ Collins said.

The Vikings started the game off with a good play as Ronnie Blossom recovered a fumble. As they switched over to offense, quarterback Nash Morgan hit Red Winters on a nine-yard pass to put WC inside the 10-yard line. Two plays later Eric Collins Jr. made his way into the end zone for a 3-yard score. Jonah Artman kicked the successful extra point to put the score at 7-0 with 8 minutes left in the first quarter.

The Pirates failed to get in the end zone in the first quarter after WC made great defensive plays including big hits in the backfield by TK Qualls and Blossom as well as an interception by Dekasi Crump.

In the second quarter, WC made some good offensive plays including a 31-yard run by Collins. Jadarius Miller broke out for a 35-yard run but the ball popped out before getting into the end zone leaving the score at 7-0.

The Viking defense continued to hold its own as Larry Reynolds Jr. and Gavin Davenport made some key stops. Just before halftime, Qualls and Blossom put a hard lick on Pearl’s quarterback for a sack. Qualls also blocked a punt in the second quarter.

Coming out of halftime, WC came alive offensively as the Vikings picked up multiple first downs when Morgan hit Maddox Lynch on a big gain while Collins and Greer both gained heavy rushing yardage. As they burned some time off the clock, Collins scored on a five-yard run that put things at 14-0 after Artman’s extra point.

The Pirates did well moving the ball as they got into WC territory. At one point it looked as if they were about to score until the running back was laid out by Qualls. On fourth down, Qualls grabbed another sack to give WC the back.

The Vikings eventually scored again as Greer pounded the ball down the field on an 11-yard touchdown run. Pearl attempted to throw the ball late in the game but Roosevelt Harris Jr. denied them access. With just a couple of minutes left, Landon Green caught a 40-yard pick 6 but it was called back due to penalty as the Vikings won 21-0.

“We won tonight because we played like the best version of ourselves,” WC Head Coach Josh Morgan told his team.

The Vikings will be on the road next Friday to face Germantown.