NATCHEZ — In close football games, special teams can be the difference between a narrow win and a heartbreaking loss.

That’s why Trinity Episcopal head coach David King said he wanted to make specials teams a focal point in practice Tuesday leading up to the Saints’ first district game against Briarfield Academy Friday.

King said he wants to correct what he feels was a disappointing special teams showing last Friday against East Rankin Academy.

“It’s going to be important,” King said. “Two weeks ago (versus Prairie View) we had two touchdowns on special teams. We were weak there last week.”

Saints senior kicker Chas Moroney said he understands the significance his role can possibly have in the outcome of a game.

“There’s always going to be that one-point game,” Moroney said. “You always have to be prepared. You don’t want to miss that extra point or kick the ball to their star player on a kickoff and have him return it for a big gain.”

Moroney also said the kicking unit needs to improve in one key area of its game.

“We need to work on getting down the field more quickly after kicks,” Moroney said.

Following Trinity’s win against East Rankin last Friday, King expressed disappointment in his players’ effort in the second half. King said on Tuesday he attributed some of that to his starters not having played a full four quarters up to that point.

“In the (Natchez High School) Jamboree, we only played one quarter,” King said. “Against Prairie View, we got a big lead and subbed our backups in most of the second half.”

King called a Saturday afternoon practice the day following Trinity’s game against East Rankin, and said he thinks his players have responded well to the challenge of playing with consistent intensity.

“We did well on Saturday,” King said. “On Monday, we had one of our best Monday practices so far this year.”

Moroney said, as a senior, his leadership is important in keeping the team’s concentration.

“We have to keep the team focused,” Moroney said. “We have to make sure everyone’s looking to do what they need to.”

King said something he wants to try doing is giving more playing time to the team’s non-starters.

“We have good depth on our bench,” King said. “We want to do a better job with platooning those guys with our starters. That allows us to rest the starters for a little while, and keeps the backups from sitting on the bench the entire game.”

For Trinity’s game against Briarfield, King said he’s making sure the players understand the importance of beating each district opponent they face.

“They traditionally play with passion and are a scrappy team,” King said. “We’re trying to preach that we need to avoid any let-downs, both physical and mental, and work on the little things.

“There’s no wild card this year, so you can’t afford to lose a district game.”