Two years ago, Henry &uot;Doc&uot; Woods put in for his retirement from the Natchez-Adams School District. But the district did not want to have any part of it and asked Woods to stay.

Two years later, Woods is glad he did. Especially after being named Class 5A Track Coach of the Year by the Mississippi High School Athletic Association.

It’s the fifth time Woods has been named Coach of the Year, going back to his coaching days at North Natchez.

&uot;I came back and hopefully I can add another state championship,&uot; Woods said. &uot;I’m glad I made up my mind to come back.&uot;

Woods is waiting to see if he can add a 17th state championship to his resume after a controversial finish in the Class 5A&160;state meet last month in Jackson.

Natchez’s girls appeared to win their second straight after finishing fourth in the 1600-meter relays until a foul flag came up, disqualifying the Lady Bulldogs from the final event of the meet.

The disqualification left Natchez two points behind Jackson Murrah for the title, finishing with 85 points, while Murrah had 87.

The official who ruled on the foul, saying a Lady Bulldog entered the inside lane too soon, was from Murrah.

Natchez protested, and a decision is expected soon.

State championship or not, Woods led the Lady Bulldogs to a sensational season, despite losing stars Natalie Noble and Chaquita McNeely down the stretch to injuries.

Natchez was led by freshman Janice Davis, who won the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash and 400-meter dash and is competing in national meets this summer.

&uot;It’s been a tremendous season,&uot; Woods said. &uot;The girls team was one of the best I’ve had. It was a tremendous, hard-working group of kids.&uot;

Woods said the boys team should be contending for a title next year.

&uot;We’ve got a real good boys team coming back,&uot; he said. &uot;We’re anticipating being even better next year.&uot;