NATCHEZ — Close games often come down to execution on special teams, and Friday’s game between Natchez High and Warren Central was no exception.

In a game where both teams scored three touchdowns, two field goals by Warren Central kicker Devon Bell were the difference in the game as the Vikings escaped Natchez with a 26-23 win.

Bell hit a 30-yard field goal in the second quarter and a 35-yard field goal in the third quarter to give Warren Central an extra six points that would come in handy by game’s end.

Trailing 26-15, Natchez (3-1)scored a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter on a Javon Washington 1-yard run to pull within three points after the two-point conversion.

But the Bulldogs could get no closer, as Warren Central used its powerful running game to burn much of the remaining time.

“This was a learning experience for us,” Natchez coach Lance Reed said. “Hopefully we can fix things as we get ready for district play. Warren Central is a good, tough team.”

Warren Central (2-2) opened the scoring on a 2-yard run by Tim Jones. The extra point was no good.

Natchez took its only lead of the game on a 5-yard run by Santorius Pollard and extra point by Dominique Salter.

However, Warren Central scored the next 17 points of the game to take control.

Bell hit his first field goal to put the Vikings up 9-7 and then Jones scored again from 2 yards out to make the score 16-7 at halftime.

Vikings quarterback Beau Wallace gave Warren Central a 23-7 lead with a 1-yard sneak early in the third quarter but Joel Davis put the Bulldogs back in the game with a 50-yard run. Washington ran in the two-point conversion to make the score 23-15.

Bell’s second field goal of the game came late in the third quarter and proved to be the deciding points.

Washington scored for Natchez in the fourth, but that would be as close as the Bulldogs would get.

Joel Davis led Natchez in rushing with 103 yards on 15 carries while Washington completed 14-of-21 passes for 142 yards and a touchdown.