MERIDIAN — The Natchez defense couldn’t get a handle on the Meridian offense, as the Wildcats (4-1, 1-0) rolled up 36 points in the first half on their way to a 36-10 victory Friday night.

Natchez (2-2, 0-1) trailed 22-3 at the end of the first quarter and then trailed 36-3 at halftime.

Natchez’s only score in the first half was a 37-yard field goal by Charel Carter.

The Bulldogs finally got in the end zone in the fourth quarter, when Javon Washington threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Nick Brooks.Washington finished the game 16-of-25 for 131 yards with the touchdown pass.

Willie Newman ran for 117 yards on 14 carries, while Joel Davis ran for 78 yards on 15 carries for Natchez.