NATCHEZ — Youth and inexperience along the offensive line usually means a sharp learning curve early on for most football teams.

Huntington School football coach Chad Harkins, however, said he is hoping the young guys on the offensive line will make up for inexperience with hunger and tenacity.

“Our whole offensive line is very young, and not nearly as big as we’re used to having,” Harkins said. “That’s probably our biggest concern, but all those guys are really gritty, and they’ll get down and give us everything they’ve got.”

Of the starting five players on offensive line for the Hounds, none of them have any varsity experience heading into this season, Harkins said.

“We’ve got to stay low when we’re out there. We’re not big enough to go toe-to-toe with those big (defensive) linemen, so we’re trying to teach them to stay low and use their quickness.

Because of the youth on the offensive line, senior quarterback Jess Dossett’s mobility will be a key for the Hounds this fall.

“He’s OK, mobility-wise,” Harkins said. “He moves pretty well, and we rotate several guys at the quarterback spot, depending on what kind of package we’re running.”

Dossett, one of just three seniors on the Hounds roster, said he’s looking to show good leadership skills in his final season at Huntington.

“I’m just trying to show the younger guys how to be a team really,” Dossett said. “They have to step up, because when they’re seniors, they’ll have a good chance at winning a state (championship).

“(I just want) to make a good name for the school, trying to get more kids here and do the right thing. If we win state, that will be good.”

Dossett said he’s maintaining a positive attitude while working with his young offensive line.

“I’m just trying to get the ball off really,” Dossett said. “You have to keep them encouraged. You just have to tell them they can do it and don’t get them down. Just tell them they can do it.”

The Hounds are set to face Central Private School of Baker, La., on Friday.

“Central Private’s always a good team year in and year out,” Harkins said. “They usually have some good lineman and they have a good (running back) in Bobby Muse, and he’s going to be somebody that we’ve got to stop if we’re going to have any success against them.”

Dossett said he wants to win the opening game on Friday in order to let everyone else know that the Hounds are going to be a contender this season.

“If we win, it’ll tell other teams that we’re here,” Dossett said. “It’ll wake up everybody and let them know that we’re not a joke this year.”