NATCHEZ — For the first time since the 2005 season, the Trinity Episcopal football team will head into the playoffs without a district title already under its belt.

The Saints’ 40-36 loss to Brookhaven Academy last week dropped them to second in MAIS District 5-AA, and head coach David King said Trinity is going into this year’s playoffs with more uncertainty than it has in previous seasons.

Some of that uncertainty is due to the tough loss last week, but much of it has to do with Wayne Academy, the Saints’ first round opponent.

“I’m more nervous about this first-round game (than I have been) in a while,” King said. “This is a good bunch we are playing, and we have our hands full. They are playing at an all-time high.”

The Jaguars have won three-straight games coming into tonight’s matchup, and King said they have a balanced offense that uses a lot of misdirection plays.

Wayne Academy prefers to run the ball on offense, King said, but they have a solid quarterback that has the ability to put the ball in the air when needed.

King said the Saints would have to fully recover from last week’s loss to be able to compete in their first-round game tonight.

“We have to pick (ourselves) up after we let one slip away the other night,” he said. “But, these boys are resilient, and I believe in these boys.”

King said practice this week has been a bit of a roller coaster for his team.

“It’s been up and down (this week),” he said. “We just had a good practice (Wednesday) that was better than Tuesday.”

King said his team has stayed loose this week, and he believes that to be a good thing heading into the playoffs.

The Saints (9-2) will host Wayne Academy (6-4) today at 7 p.m. The winner of tonight’s game will face the winner of Centreville Academy and Lamar School in the second round.