NATCHEZ — The Adams County Christian School football players had a spring in their steps Monday morning during their Labor Day practice.

The Rebels are coming off their first win of the season after topping Riverdale Academy 35-12 last week.

“It feels good,” head coach Hunter McKeivier said. “We practiced (Monday) morning, and you could see the excitement in the guys. But, I had to tell them not to dwell on it and continue to get better and improve each week, so it’s not just one (win) at the end of the year.”

ACCS (1-2) will try to make it two in a row Friday night when it hosts Central Private School for homecoming, and McKeivier said he expects to face a prepared Central Private (0-3) team.

“They are going to be a well-coached team,” he said. “Coach (Mike) Longmire has coached for many years, and he’s a very smart coach.”

McKeivier said he expects Central Private’s defense to be prepared to stop the Rebels running attack that excelled in their win over Riverdale.

“We were able to run the football with great success and pass occasionally,” McKeivier said. “We’re still going to try to run the football ultimately, but every now and then if we continue to run the ball well it will open up the pass.”

The Rebels rushed for 301 yards in their win over Riverdale, and quarterback Johnny Smith was efficient with his nine passes, completing six for 68 yards.

The ACCS defense began preparations Monday for a Central Private offense that may feature multiple formations, McKeivier said.

“They will be in the spread, that’s what they showed on film so far,” he said. “But we also look at what they ran last year, a two tight end I-formation, and they might jump into that a little bit. We will work on everything.

“Defensively we need to learn to recognize the tendencies that we show them in (Central Private’s) offensive line and the way they set up or maybe certain sets they use to try to gain an advantage.”

McKeivier also said his team will focus on cleaning up its play, and reducing its number of penalties.

“We (got better with penalties last week) to a point,” he said. “But I’m still disappointed in all the penalties. We have way too many, and if we don’t clean it up it will cost us games.”

McKeivier said the big men on both sides of the ball would decide Friday night’s game.

“Turnovers are key, we always want to win that. And execution in the offensive and defensive lines in the trenches is key,” he said. “If we control the line and win the turnover battle we should have a good shot to win.”

ACCS will that the field at 7 p.m. Friday to try to avenge last season’s 16-0 loss to Central Private.