FERRIDAY — The Natchez High School Bulldogs had the No. 2 to thank over and over again in their 12-6 win against Ferriday High School.

Entering into Friday’s game, the Bulldogs (3-0) had played two games to the Trojans’ zero. The Bulldogs had practiced twice the amount of time the Trojans had.

And in the second half of Friday’s game, Natchez scored two touchdowns, while Ferriday scored none.

Natchez allowed only one touchdown by Ferriday, which came late in the second quarter.

“It’s was a hard-fought game,” Natchez head coach Lance Reed said. “We just kept pushing. In a game like that, you just want to catch some breaks. We caught some breaks in a timely manner.”

After being down 6-0 at the half, the Bulldogs held the Trojans to just 24 total yards in the second half.

Natchez, meanwhile, rode a second half effort by quarterback Javon Washington, in which he was 7-for-7 passing with 66 yards and one touchdown pass. He finished 15-for-22 with 132 yards passing on the night.

“I’ve been starting since my freshman year,” Washington said. “I just didn’t have any excuses. I had to step it up (in the second half).”

With 4:30 seconds to go in the third quarter, Washington was able to connect with receiver Santorius Pollard on a 22-yard touchdown pass for the Bulldog’s first touchdown.

In the fourth quarter, running back Joel Davis had a 2-yard touchdown carry with 11:31 left.

Ferriday’s lone touchdown came on a 28-yard reception by DeVonante Scott from quarterback Rodney Lawson.

Ferriday head coach Freddie Harrison said the lack of in-game action for his team compared to Natchez’s did his players in during the second half.

“The problem was, we weren’t in game shape to play four quarters, which is what I expected,” Harrison said. “Natchez was just better-conditioned.”

Harrison also said he expects the lack of condition to fix itself over time.

“It wasn’t a lack of effort,” Harrison said. “We came out and played our hearts out. They left it all on the line. I always tell my players to leave it all on the line no matter what the outcome.”

Both coaches — who are friends — said they enjoyed facing off against each other for the first time.

“I have a lot of respect for Coach Harrison and his team,” Reed said. “They’re a tough, disciplined team that gave us all we could handle.

“It was excited (to play against him). I hope everyone enjoyed it.”

Harrison, however, would naturally have wanted a different outcome.

“It’s enjoyable, but at the same time, he got the better end of the stick tonight,” Harrison said.