By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

PEARL — Two teams facing a twenty-year-plus drought on the baseball diamond face off for the Class 6A state championship this week here at Trustmark Park.

George County takes on Warren Central in the best-of-three affair, beginning Wednesday at 4 p.m., here in the home of the Class AA Mississippi Braves. The Rebels won their only state title in school history 27 years ago, in 1997, while the only crown for the Vikings was earned 23 years ago in 2001.

However, this marks George County’s fourth appearance in the overall state finals in the past decade, while that trip in 2001 stood as the lone journey this deep in the playoffs for Warren Central until this season.

“They look very competitive,” veteran George County head coach Brandon Davis, in his 13th year at the helm of his alma mater, said of the Rebels’ opponent this week. “They take really good, healthy swings and play very good defense.”

Warren Central secured the Class 6A North State championship with a sweep of Center Hill. The Vikings completed the sweep with a 5-0 win in game two, as Southern Miss signee Brooks Willoughby tossed a complete game no-hit shutout.

George County stands an impressive 28-5 overall on the season, while Warren Central sits just 21-11 overall but has been on a roll of late, as the Vikings have won six of seven playoff outings and 12 of their past 13 games overall.

“The lefty that has committed to USM (Willoughby) looks good even though he is coming off surgery,” Davis added. “He will be ready, I’m sure.”

This is actually the first time since 2004 that Warren Central even made it as far as the North State finals.

“I think that’s what you’re seeing, is guys believing in one another,” WCHS head Coach Randy Broome, whose moto is “hustle, compete and be a good teammate”, said. “The 2024 squad has taken (that) to heart to propel its run. Knowing each other’s capabilities. Knowing each other has got their back. It’s believing and doing those three things first, and then when you get into the games we’re about to get into the pressure part of it shouldn’t be as bad.”  

In addition to Willoughby, Co-Lin Community College signee Conner Watkins as well as Maddox Lynch make up the Vikings pitching rotation. 

Watkins is expected to draw the start against George County in game one. He got the ball rolling for Warren Central in the Class 6A North State playoffs with a 1-0, complete game shutout in the opening playoff game against Lake Cormorant with a 75-pitch performance. 

 Other Vikings to watch are infielder Ryan Nelson, an East Central Community College signee, outfielder Cade Fairley a Hinds CC signee as well as designated hitter/infielder Cole Autrey who is headed to Gulf Coast Community College.

“You see what they do and prepare then see how you match up to their pitching and make a plan,” Davis concluded.