NATCHEZ — Last season depth became an issue for the Trinity Episcopal football team in its season opener at Jefferson County High School.

The Saints took a lead into the fourth quarter but had several players come down with cramps throughout the game.

In the end, the Tigers’ depth, along with clutch touchdown passes from departed quarterback Monroe Barnes, led them to a 28-17 victory over Trinity.

This season the two foes meet again, and Trinity head coach Josh Loy said the Saints would face some of the same problems as last season.

“It’s certainly a challenge,” he said. “They will bring in 50 players to our 20 but in the end they can only put 11 on the field, and we will have our best 11 and just play football.”

Jefferson County head coach James Herrington said he knows there will be some lingering emotions from last year’s hard-fought contest.

“There are a lot of guys still there that have the taste of blood in their mouths and want to avenge the loss last year,” Herrington said. “We’re going in definitely respecting them.”

Jefferson County was unable to play its jamboree contest at Natchez High School due to bad weather last week, and Herrington said this week’s preparation would be easier if his team had played.

“We definitely wanted to get an opportunity to play and get a chance to get into live action,” he said.

One advantage of not playing a jamboree for the Tigers is that Trinity did not have any film to prepare for them.

Loy said they used game film from last year and information about returning personnel to prepare, but the Saints are mainly focused on becoming a better football team.

“Our concentration is on us and perfecting the things we do,” Loy said.

Both coaches said minimizing mistakes would be the key to victory Friday night.

“We have got to play smart and can’t put ourselves in bad situations,” Loy said. “We have to slow the game down with our numbers and give ourselves the best opportunity to play with them.”

Trinity knows the challenge Jefferson County presents, Loy said, but the team also knows the opportunity it has to start the season with a big win.

“I don’t think we will see a team as athletic as Jefferson County this season,” Loy said. “It’s certainly a big step.”

Loy said the team is excited to open its season at home.

“It’s nice to see the field painted up and get dressed in our own locker room. We are looking forward to this game,” Loy said.

Trinity will host Jefferson County at 7:30 p.m. Friday.