NATCHEZ — While the MHSAA Class 6A playoffs officially start Friday night, the Natchez High Bulldogs have been in playoff mode for several weeks.

So the playoff pressure is nothing new to the Bulldogs, which is something Natchez head coach Lance Reed hopes they can use to their advantage.

“We’ve been in that (playoff) mode and want to stay on a roll,” Reed said. “I think that kind of puts you in a serious mode where urgency is really a factor. I think that has prepared us for this game and opportunity.”

After dropping their first two Region 3-6A games, Natchez won its final five games in a row, including a 33-25 victory over Hattiesburg last week, to make the playoffs for the third season in a row.

But because of those two losses, Natchez finished in third place in the region, which means they must travel to face Region 4 No. 2 seed Gulfport, which brings a 10-1 record into the game.

“Gulfport is a physical team that is going to bring it right at you,” Reed said. “Our challenge is to match their physicality and how tough they play. I look for a physical game.”

Even though the Bulldogs finished the regular season with a 9-2 record, Reed said they didn’t perform up to their potential during some parts of the season.

“We talk every day about getting the most out of this team and sometimes it feels like they don’t seem to reach the potential we as coaches see every day,” Reed said. “We’re not as consistent as we’d like to be as far as playing talent. I hope we get into that state of mind where we show all we can do.”

But Reed doesn’t expect that to be a problem on Friday against the Admirals.

“I know this group knows what’s at stake,” Reed said. “I have confidence that this group will show up to play. They are a veteran group that has been on this stage before. I really trust them, and believe they’ll lay it on the line Friday night.”

One thing that must improve for the Bulldogs from last week is the defense.

The Bulldog defense has played very well at times this year, but has also had some bad games, including last week when they gave up over 300 yards and 25 points to a Hattiesburg team that had struggled to score throughout the season.

“I know the capability of our defense and sometimes we don’t play that way,” Reed said. “It goes back to not focusing on responsibilities. We can’t have mental lapses playing against a team like Gulfport. We’ve got to go out and match what they bring. If we don’t do that, we’ll have a tough time.”

Natchez running back Kevin Bailey said the team realizes what’s at stake on Friday night, and has turned up the intensity in practice.

“Everybody seems to be focused this week,” Bailey said. “Sometimes the team didn’t really want to focus this year, but everybody seems to be focused this week,” Bailey said. We’re looking to play our best game of the season on Friday.”

Reed said his team has responded to the win or go home scenario.

“You lose you go home, and they are aware of that,” Reed said. “I looked into their eyes, and we talked about it. They’re not ready to go home.”