photo by Hannah Reel

Trinity’s Kent King tackles Riverfield’s Brad Rogers during the MAIS Class A South State Championship game Nov. 20. Trinity will square off against DeSoto School at noon today in the MAIS Class A State Championship in Jackson.

Trinity faces DeSoto today for the MAIS Class A state title

By Michael Kerekes (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Thursday, November 26, 2009

NATCHEZ — Summer workouts, the weekly practices, the highs and lows of a season — all these things have gotten Trinity Episcopal to where it is now: one game away.

At noon today, the Saints will face defending MAIS Class A state champions DeSoto School (Ark.) at Millsaps College in Jackson.

For head coach David King, the rewards of winning a state championship are something he wants for his players more than anything, especially his six seniors.

“As a coach, I just want it so badly for these seniors,” King said. “The process of getting here is what’s fun for a coach, but these boys will remember (today) for the rest of their lives. The coaches just enjoy the six-month process of watching these kids improve.”

If the seniors are to go out on a high note, they will face a formidable challenge from the defending champs. DeSoto School sits undefeated at 13-0 on the season, and averages 33 points per game. The Thunderbirds have also held opponents to an average of five points per game.

King said he’s hoping the tough non-district schedule, which included several AA teams, will help prepare his team to play well physically.

“The AA football is a lot more physical brand because they are bigger schools,” King said. “We wanted to be a physical football team at the end of the year. A lot of Class A schools choose not to play up a classification because they are bigger and more physical, but we thought that would help us and it certainly has.”

Playing in such a big game, it’s natural for any player to be nervous. Saints senior Brandon Daggs, however, thinks those nerves will be short-lived after the opening kickoff.

“This is my first state championship (to play in), so means a lot to us and to me,” Daggs said. “You just have to put it all on the line. (The nerves) will probably be there for just the first two or three plays, but everything’s pretty much normal from there on out.”