Natchez coach pleased with team’s progress

Published 12:00 am Thursday, August 3, 2000

Natchez High will hold team pictures today at Natchez High Stadium. And Bulldog head coach Elbert &uot;Mo&uot; Lyles is counting on some Kodak moments from his squad this year after two straight losing seasons.

Natchez began fall practice Monday.

&uot;I think it’s been going real well,&uot; said Lyles, who has approximately 50 players out. &uot;We’ve basically got everybody out who attended our camp (in the spring).&uot;

Email newsletter signup

Lyles said the first week has involved conditioning drills.

&uot;It’s been hot, but I’ve been pleased with the attitude of the players,&uot; Lyles said. &uot;We’ve got a number of seniors and that’s a plus.&uot;

Lyles said the Bulldogs have been working on special teams and defense in the morning and offense in the morning.

&uot;We’ll have to have two or three go both ways,&uot; he said. &uot;But we’ve got a good bit in.&uot;

Lyles said the team will put on the pads Monday.

&uot;We’ll see how well they adjust to that,&uot; he said. &uot;The guys seem real confident with the system and we have a lot of experience. We feel real good about where we are. The attitude as a team is a lot better than it has been the last two years.&uot;

Natchez kicks off its season Aug. 25 at home against Jefferson County.

&uot;We’ll go through as many reps as we possibly can to get ready,&uot; Lyles said. &uot;We’re going to take advantage of every moment and do everything we can to be ready to go.&uot;

Senior Donald Butler returns at quarterback after passes for 875 yards last year and rushing for 310 more. Senior tailback Roderick Conner rushed for 601 yards on 113 attempts as a junior last year, while senior fullback Christopher McDonald had 338 yards rushing on 51 attempts.

Senior Edwin Skipper lines up at wide receiver after leading the Bulldogs with 24 catches for 652 yards last year.

Carl Butler will be at split end.

Sophomore Terry Jones caught four passes for 38 yards last year.

Junior Brandon Wright is the most experienced offensive lineman.

Joining Wright on the line are Michael Harris, Leonard Campbell, Kalup Hartwell and Christopher Chatman.

The defensive line consists of senior James Norman, Joey Mitchell, Torry Groce and Willie Wilson.

The linebackers are Broderick Allen, Harry Smith and junior Christopher Bates.

In the defensive backfield are junior Alonzo Green, David Ford Dennis Davis and Rodney Lewis.