Saints ready to start defense of state title

Published 1:10 am Friday, November 5, 2010

NATCHEZ — The postseason his here for Trinity Episcopal, and that means it’s not going to be hard to get the Saints players ready to play.

Trinity (11-0) will host Wayne Academy from Waynesboro tonight in the first round of the MAIS South State playoffs.

Head coach David King said the caliber of teams in the playoffs means his players know what’s at stake.

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“The good thing about this time of the year is, no one left is a bad team,” King said. “Everyone’s good, so it’s easy to get motivated, especially when it comes to these seniors.

“We’ve been telling them since their ninth and 10th grade year that they’re only guaranteed this next game. If you lose, it’s over.”

Getting to play Jaguars at home is something King said he’s grateful for.

“There’s a lot of things you have to worry about with high school kids on the road,” he said. “You have to worry about how much they eat and things like that.

“For some kids, playing on the road can be uncomfortable. It’s a three-and-a-half hour ride to Waynesboro, so we’re definitely glad we get to play at home in familiar surroundings.”

Trinity will continue playing at home through the South State championship game, should the Saints make it that far.

“Our kids love playing in this stadium, in front of these fans. It’s a big advantage for us,” King said.

King said Wayne Academy is a quality opponent, and brings a strong rushing attack to the table.

“They have a lot of tradition, and they’re very aggressive and quick,” King said. “They’re an old school team that runs a power offense, and they’re very aggressive.”

The Saints are focusing on shoring up certain aspects of their game, like tackling technique, leading up into tonight’s game.

“I think the last three games, we’ve sort of been in a lull, and I think that’s thanks to playing such emotional games with River Oaks and Brookhaven Academy,” King said. “We want to sharpen things up.”

With a seasoned group of players, many of whom played on last year’s state championship team, King said he’s confident his players will have the right mindset going into the playoffs.

“We feel like we have a good game plan and have gotten in a good week of work,” King said.

“This time of the year, a lot of teams have turned it in, and we’re just grateful to still be playing.”