STARKVILLE — Warren Central football is Mississippi high school football champions for the first time in 31 years.
The Vikings (12-1) downed Hattiesburg 56-34 on Dec. 5 at Davis Wade Stadium to win the MHSAA 6A state championship. It’s first title since 1994.
Warren Central quarterback Nash Morgan led the Vikings with 311 total yards, four touchdowns and an interception. Running backs Xavier Jackson and Javid Scott each had two touchdowns.
Hattiesburg (12-2) lost its second straight state title after falling to Grenada in 2024. Quarterback Gavin Ducksworth had 444 passing yards with four touchdowns. Wide receiver Davion Young finished with 177 receiving yards and a score.
Stream Mississippi HS football games on NFHS Network
Hattiesburg vs Warren Central score updates, highlights
Nash Morgan, the Warren Central quarterback, intercepts Gavin Ducksworth in the red zone.
Warren Central’s Nash Morgan scores on a 52-yard rush with 6:27 left in the fourth quarter, extending the lead 56-34.
Tigers quarterback Gavin Ducksworth finds receiver Davion Young on a 65-yard passing score with 6:41 left in the fourth quarter. Warren Central leads 49-34.
Warren Central running back Xavier Jackson converts on a 45-yard rushing score to put the Vikings up 49-28 with 8:32 left in the fourth quarter.
Warren Central quarterback Nash Morgan converts on a 33-yard rushing touchdown to give the Vikings a 42-28 lead with 11:23 left in the fourth quarter.
Nash Morgan finds Michael Hall for a 40-yard passing score to retake the lead 35-28 with 47 seconds left in the third quarter.
The Tigers tie the game 28-28 from a 9-yard touchdown pass from Gavin Ducksworth to Bralyn Albritton with 3:59 remaining in the third quarter.
The Vikings capitalize on a 40-yard rushing score from Xavier Jackson on the first drive out of halftime to put them up 28-21 with 9:17 left in the third quarter.
Hattiesburg’s Davion Young takes a straight snap and scores on a 6-yard rushing score with 24 seconds before halftime, evening the game 21-21.
Vikings quarterback Nash Morgan finds the endzone after a 3-yard rushing score and puts Warren Central up 21-14 with 3:38 left in the second quarter.
Warren Central running back Javid Scott ties the game 14-14 after a 1-yard rushing touchdown with 8:26 remaining in the second quarter.
Hattiesburg’s quarterback Gavin Ducksworth connects with Tristen Keys on a 21-yard pass to take a 14-7 lead with 11:26 left in the second quarter.
Hattiesburg responds to Warren Central and scores from quarterback Gavin Ducksworth, finding Bralyn Albritton on a 12-yard pass with 5:58 left in the first quarter, and ties the game 7-7.
The Vikings put the game’s first points after a 20-yard rushing touchdown from Javid Scott with 9:14 left in the first quarter and takes a 7-0 lead over Hattiesburg.
Tristen Keys starts for Hattiesburg
Five-star Tennessee signee wide receiver Tristen Keys is dressed and starting for Hattiesburg after not playing since Oct. 30.
Hattiesburg vs Warren Central history
Hattiesburg and Warren Central have met eight times, with the teams splitting the series 4-4. Hattiesburg won the last meeting in 2012, 17-13.
What time does Hattiesburg vs Warren Central start?
- Date: Friday, Dec. 5
- Time: 7:30 p.m. CT
- Location: Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville
How to watch Hattiesburg vs Warren Central in MHSAA championship
The MHSAA football championships are streaming on NFHS Network.
Weather in Starkville
According to AccuWeather, it will be cloudy and 44 degrees at kickoff with a 0% chance of rain.
MHSAA football state championship schedule 2025
All times Central
Thursday, Dec. 4
Class 1A: Calhoun City 14, Simmons 8.
Class 5A: Brookhaven 31, West Point 19.
Friday, Dec. 5
Class 4A: Kosciusko (13-1) vs. Columbia (14-0), 4 p.m.
Class 6A: Warren Central (11-2) vs. Hattiesburg (11-2), 7:30 p.m.
MORE: The Clarion Ledger’s 2025 Dandy Dozen, where our top Mississippi football players signed
Saturday, Dec. 6
Class 3A: Noxubee County (11-3) vs. Raleigh (13-1), Noon
Class 2A: East Webster (13-1) vs. Heidelberg (12-2), 3:30 p.m.
Class 7A: Tupelo (13-1) vs. Gulfport (11-2), 7 p.m.
Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.
