It took a 20 degree drop in the temperature, a 15 minute blackout and an overtime touchdown, but the Natchez Bulldogs broke a five-game losing streak Friday with a 27-21 win over district rival Jim Hill.

Natchez (2-5, 1-2) trailed by eight points in the third quarter, but solid inside running by fullback Chris McDonald set up a quarterback option that sent Donald Butler untouched into the endzone for his second score of the night.

The same play scored the two point conversion, but Butler this time pitched to running back Mack Thomas to tie the game at 21.

A handful of turnovers and stiffening defenses led to a scoreless fourth quarter and overtime.

Natchez got the ball first, and a Jim Hill penalty gave the Bulldogs first-and-goal from the five. Natchez went to its workhorse McDonald, who pounded it in two plays later for the winning score.

&uot;I was on the sideline thinking about scoring the winning touchdown,&uot; McDonald said. &uot;To do that my senior year, at my senior homecoming, that was a dream come true.&uot;

McDonald led the Bulldogs in rushing with 120 yards on 16 carries.

Natchez penalties, which have been a problem all year for the Bulldogs, set up Jim Hill’s first score, a 14-yard Derrick Edwards scamper.

The Tigers nearly scored again after driving to the Natchez 22 on their next possession, but Bulldogs defensive lineman James Norman caught quarterback Larry Underwood in the backfield and caused a fumble. The turnover sparked the Natchez offense, which soon scored on a 21-yard quick slant from Butler to Carl Butler to tie the game at 7-7.

Donald Butler scored again in the second quarter on a 10-yard run to give the Bulldogs a 13-7 halftime lead.

The lead was erased on the second play of the third quarter, as Tigers running back Jacob Calvin broke three tackles en route to a 47-yard score.

Jim Hill then recovered an onsides kick and made the score 21-13 on another Edwards touchdown.

The stadium lights went out for about 15 minutes in the third quarter, halting play. The scoreboard did not function for the entire game.

The Bulldogs next host Wayne County at 7:30 p.m. Friday.