NATCHEZ &045; Here’s a good way to start out life in Class AA: face Centreville Academy.

Not just any ordinary CA team, but one many are putting up there with Simpson Academy as one of the best teams in MPSA Class AA. The Adams Christian Rebels will kick off life a class lower than in the past Thursday night when they host the Tigers after spending the last two seasons in Class AAA.

And don’t expect things to be easier &045; the Rebels lost to Centreville and Silliman, both AA squads, last season.

&uot;It’s like Coach (Keith) Walters said, if you think about it, we haven’t beaten that many double-A teams in the past few years,&uot; senior receiver Ray Simpson said. &uot;We just hope it’s going to be a little easier on us. It shouldn’t be as tough. (Last year) we didn’t go into the (CA) game prepared and had a big head.&uot;

Centreville may be as good as its gets in the South this season with its 15 seniors and veteran head coach Bill Hurst, and the Tigers will be a formidable opponent to start out for the Rebels. Adams Christian started last week with a win over Brookhaven Academy in the jamboree and are trying to get the little kinks ironed out for the season opener.

The contest will kick off at 7 p.m. and is expected to be the first high school football game in the entire state in 2004.

&uot;I think the first game will give us a good indication of where we are,&uot; Walters said. &uot;They’re definitely one of the top teams we’ll play. There’s no question. Hopefully we’ll get better real quick for Thursday. Centreville is good. It’s pretty tough for a first game.&uot;

When preparations started this week for the Rebels, most of what it took was to get out last year’s film. The Tigers return most of their players from last season, including quarterback Jennings Field and tailback Blake Devall, and have most of their line back that is good at power football.

It’s the type of ball the Tigers have specialized in over the years and something the Rebels couldn’t stop in that 14-7 loss last year.

&uot;Probably what gave us the most problems last year was they controlled the ball, which they love to do,&uot; Walters said. &uot;We didn’t play bad defensively. We only gave up 14 points. I don’t remember what the time of possession was, but it had to have been in their favor.

&uot;The difference in the game can’t happen this year &045; they basically dominated the offensive and defensive lines.&uot;

The Rebels created some sparks Friday at the Trinity jamboree on the offensive end with Timmy Foster at quarterback, Dustin Case at tailback and Simpson at receiver. The Rebels moved it efficiently and gave Foster time to throw the football.

But it’s still defense, an area the Rebels still need to work at in order to become a better team. If they can improve on defense against Centreville, they won’t stay on the field as long as they did in last year’s loss.

&uot;We know we need to do better,&uot; said Case, who starts at cornerback along with Simpson. &uot;We didn’t look too good at Trinity the other night, especially on defense. The last couple of years we haven’t done too hot on defense.&uot;

The Tigers will likely base out of their I formation and keep it on the ground with Devall and big A.J. Dooley at fullback. But don’t be surprised if they toss in a few wrinkles, especially with a receiving corps that can make some things happen.

&uot;They have diversified their offense some,&uot; Walters said. &uot;He’s running some shotgun, some passing formations and some wing-T, which is new. It’s a good rivalry. Centreville and AC have been playing for a long time. I think we’ll have a big crowd.

&uot;Coach Hurst and I go way back. He’s a great coach and a great guy.&uot;