Natchez shows athletic prowess with Ferriday win

Published 1:45 am Saturday, September 6, 2014

Natchez High School’s Sidney Davis leaps for the end zone during a game against Ferriday High School Friday. Natchez won the game 40-24.  (Sam Gause / The Natchez Democrat)

Natchez High School’s Sidney Davis leaps for the end zone during a game against Ferriday High School Friday. Natchez won the game 40-24. (Sam Gause / The Natchez Democrat)

NATCHEZ — In the Natchez Bulldogs’ 40-24 victory against the Ferriday Trojans, Sidney Davis proved there’s not much he can’t do on the football field.

Natchez head coach Melvin Pete approached his senior wide receiver Thursday and asked him to play cornerback, with plans of Davis covering Ferriday’s 6-foot-5 receiver J’Shon Foster Friday night. In his typical laid back fashion, Davis accepted the challenge and held Foster without a reception.

“They had a huge receiver, so I had to get him,” said Davis after the game. “I just had to be an athlete.”

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Of course, Davis’ responsibilities extended beyond playing corner. Along with his dominant defensive performance, Davis had two receiving touchdowns and one rushing score in the victory. His performance didn’t shock Pete.

“You have to understand that we have some men, and it just so happens that Sidney is a man amongst boys,” Pete said.

Pete and his Bulldogs took some punches early from the Trojans. Ferriday drew first blood on a Dontrell Domino touchdown scamper from five yards out. Domino had a huge game for the Trojans, leading them in rushing with 143 yards and rushing for four touchdowns.

The first quarter ended in a 12-12 tie, as Domino and the Trojans’ offensive line produced long drives and long scores. Unfortunately for the Trojans, the Bulldogs’ athleticism caused separation and led to a scoring drought through the next two quarters.

“Our guys came out and played the first quarter extremely hard,” Cummings said. “We can’t expect to go point-for-point with them, though. We have to get some three-and-outs. We lost focus.”

Ferriday quarterback Ronald Williams had a rough outing, throwing three interceptions in the loss. Shavoke Herrington picked Williams off twice, bringing Herrington’s season total to five.

“For a young guy, he just has that knack,” said Pete, talking about his freshman safety. “We just let him rumble around and make plays.”

Another freshman had a big night for Pete, except he did his damage on the other side of the ball. Freshman quarterback Chris Scott completed 12-of-17 passes for 129 passing yards and two passing touchdowns.

“I was excited to call plays when he started cutting up the defense,” Pete said. “He let me know that he’s taking the right steps.”

The Bulldogs scored 28 unanswered points, and that’s when athlete Anthony Robinson did his damage.

Up 28-12 in the third quarter, Natchez faced a 3rd-and-19 from their 26-yard line. Robinson was in at quarterback, running his usual option offense, but after Robinson took the snap, he looked for a running back that was nowhere to be found. Robinson took the ball and ran into a wall of defenders before Robinson emerged from the pack, sprinting down the sideline for a 65-yard run. The play setup an eventual touchdown pass to Traves Lyles to extend the Bulldogs’ lead to 34-12, taking the wind out of Ferriday’s sails. Pete celebrated on the sidelines, amazed at his wide receiver’s ability.

“I can’t even explain it,” Pete said. “He’s the magic man. He makes some incredible plays. Wow, what a highlight film if he keeps it up.”

NHS’ John Ferguson had 67 rushing yards, including a 52-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.

Natchez had 389 total yards of offense, while Ferriday had 276. The Trojans produced some success running the ball, totaling 199 yards on the ground.

The Bulldogs’ record improves to 3-0, while the Trojans begin their 2014 season with a loss.