Natchez hits the road for Jim Hill

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, October 6, 1999

After four straight home games, Natchez High head football coach Elbert &uot;Mo&uot; Lyles takes his team on the road Friday for a contest against Jackson Jim Hill.

The game will be played at North Jackson Athletic Complex in northwest Jackson. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.

In most instances, coaches might be concerned about a road game after four straight home contests. But considering the Bulldogs have lost their last four at home, Lyles said a road trip may help change the outcome.

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&uot;When you are not winning, you look for any kind of change that may help you out,&uot; Lyles said. &uot;Well be changing up our routine and get on the road and see how the kids respond.&uot;

Natchez is 1-5 on the year and 0-2 in Region 3-5A. Jim Hill is 3-3 and 1-1 in region play.

The Tigers beat Northwest Rankin 28-20 last week.

&uot;Watching them on film, they are a lot better than they have been in the past,&uot; Lyles said. &uot;They throw the ball a lot and have a pretty good passing game. Their quarterback has a good arm and does a good job of getting the ball downfield where his receivers just run right under it.&uot;

Lyles said Natchez has faced only one passing team to date, and that was Northwest Rankin, which beat the Bulldogs 24-20.

&uot;We’ve got to stop the passing game, that’s the big key right now,&uot; he said. &uot;Offensively, we’re still trying to get it together and make something happen. We need to make some big plays on offense and especially on special teams, which is something we haven’t been doing.&uot;

Lyles will be without fullback/linebacker Cordell William, who is out with a strained knee.

Lineman Derek Jarvis is out with a bruised knee

Free safety David Ford won’t play because of a bruised knee, as well.

Quarterback Donald Butler is questionable after hurting is thumb last week.

&uot;We’ve got some spots to fill,&uot; Lyles said. &uot;Somebody has to step up and help us to move on. The kids are in good spirits and they’re ready to go up there.&uot;