NATCHEZ &045; Natchez High went into its game against Warren Central with no illusions.

&uot;I told the boys before the game we knew what to expect,&uot; Natchez coach Dennis Hogue said. &uot;We’re not in contention with a team like this. I just wanted to show them we’ve improved.&uot;

The Vikings scored early and often, taking a 7-0 victory over the Bulldogs Friday afternoon.

It took a nice save from Natchez goalkeeper Jeremy Buckles in the fourth minute to stop Warren Central’s Seth Hudspeth from scoring, but the reprieve would be short.

Warren Central’s Dustin Smith scored one minute later, heading home a shot just out of Buckle’s reach to give the Vikings a 1-0 lead.

Natchez tried to strike back in the 10th minute, but Lance Adams’ header off a cornerkick from Marcus Johnson was saved by Vikings’ goalkeeper Craig Brown. It was Natchez’ best scoring chance in the game.

The Vikings scored just seconds later. A cross was sent into the Natchez penalty area. Buckles knocked it down but couldn’t hold on and Smith knocked it into the top of the net to give his team a 2-0 lead.

Warren Central’s Heath Carroll scored the only other goal of the first half in the 31st minute, a hard, low shot that sailed into the lower left corner to put the Vikings up 3-0.

In the second half, Warren Central did a better job putting shots in the back of the net, converting on a higher percentage of its scoring chances than in the first.

&uot;In the first half we kept possession well but didn’t finish,&uot; Harrison said. &uot;In the second half we finished better but didn’t keep possession as well.&uot;

Rusty Waites opened the scoring with a goal off a direct kick just outside the penalty box, giving Warren Central a 4-0 lead in the 64th minute. Charlie Mullen got behind the defense and slammed home a shot past Natchez goalkeeper Ross Smith six minutes later.

Warren Central did a good job holding possession and working the ball to the wings for crosses throughout the game. The Natchez defense struggled against the Vikings’ crosses from the wing, allowing Warren Central to get some easy goals on balls floating around in the penalty box.

The Vikings’ Fred Payne knocked in such a ball in the 79th minute to make the game 6-0, then Kyle Klaus deflected in a shot by Larry Warner from a Daniel Edney cross in the closing seconds to make the final 7-0.

&uot;We played pretty well coming off a break (for the holidays),&uot; Warren Central coach Jay Harrison said. &uot;We knocked it around better and did a good job keeping possession.&uot;

The outcome of the game was never really in doubt, but Warren Central struggled with consistency and if anything should have had more goals if they would have gotten better shots.

Despite the score, Natchez did show some life, particularly with some sustained attacks in the second half, though none seriously threatened a score.