NATCHEZ — Tuesday saw the first of what Natchez High School football coach Lance Reed said he hopes will be several seven-on-seven practices his team will host.

NHS, Wilkinson County High School, Cathedral School and Ferriday High School all competed in the seven-on-seven practice. Reed said the format allowed his players to get some needed work against someone other than each other.

“We hope to have three more of these — two in June and one in July,” Reed said.

“We started doing these last summer, and we had more teams last year, but this year it’s more manageable. It’s good working together with the local teams.”

Teams faced each other by starting out on the opponent’s 40-yard line. First downs were every 15 yards, giving teams two chances to get a first down every three downs. Once teams got inside the 10, they had four downs to get in the end zone.

“This gives our kids a chance to compete, and they have a good time, but they don’t really realize they’re getting a workout in, too,” Reed said.

New Ferriday High School coach Richard Oliver said he’s trying to get a new offense implemented, and the seven-on-seven was a good way to get some work in.

“We have a lot of work to do,” Oliver said. “We have to get the kids used to running the spread, find people to play different positions and find out who can do what.

“It’s just a learning experience. We’re trying to put our athletes on an island and see if they can make plays.”

Both Oliver and Cathedral head coach Ron Rushing said the level of competition their teams were getting to play against was a big plus.

“We don’t have to pay to go somewhere in order to get good competition,” Rushing said. “We came out here last year, I just have to thank coach Reed for letting us come out again. Hopefully, we’ll be able to come out for the other ones.

“Anytime you can play against good competition, you know you’re getting better. It helps us elevate our game.”

Oliver said the players also enjoy seeing new faces when they line up to play.

“It’s just fun to play against someone other than yourselves, and to see something different,” Oliver said.