NATCHEZ — Trinity Episcopal Day School wasted no time Friday getting a big lead against in-town rival Adams County Christian School.

And the Saints didn’t let up for four quarters as they cruised to a 47-27 win in both teams’ first district game of the season.

On just the second play of the game, ACCS quarterback Brandon Ross threw an interception to Trinity’s Garrett Vinson, who returned the ball 53 yards to the ACCS 25-yard line. Vinson then finished the job at quarterback, going 25 yards on a keeper to put the Saints up 7-0 with 11:11 left in the first.

Things didn’t get any better for ACCS after that. On the ensuing kickoff, returner Trey Fleming fumbled the ball on the ACCS 30, setting up a 12-yard touchdown pass from Vinson to Dre McCoy just a few plays later.

An 82-yard touchdown run by Tanner Cage put the Saints ahead 21-0 with 7:35 left in the first, and Trinity head coach Josh Loy said the early start paid dividends for his team.

“It got us off to a great start and gave us a lot of momentum,” Loy said. “I felt like we almost got a little complacent there because it happened so fast, but it definitely got us off on the right foot.”

ACCS head coach David King said the turnovers didn’t help matters, but the bottom line was that the better team won.

“They’re just a better football team,” King said. “We knew we couldn’t make any mistakes, and we did. They’re a talented football team, and they have a good chance to make a little run, and we’re trying to get where they are, and you have to go through some growing pains.”

ACCS cut the lead to 21-7 with 6:11 left in the first on a 5-yard carry by Lester Wells. Cage extended Trinity’s lead again on a 42-yard run with 4:08 left in the first, putting the Saints ahead 28-7 after one.

ACCS made it 28-13 at the half when Cody Rhinehart caught an 18-yard pass from Wells. Saints running back Demarcus Fleming had an 11-yard touchdown run called back on a penalty.

In the third quarter, Cage again showed his explosive ability by tallying a 48-yard touchdown run with 10:50 left in the third, putting Trinity up 34-13.

Demarcus Fleming got his touchdown back on the second play in the fourth quarter when he scored from 40 yards out with 11:26 to go. ACCS responded with a 60-yard touchdown pass from Ross to Trey Fleming at the 10:17 mark.

With fourth and 25 from the ACCS 33-yard line, Cage scored his final touchdown on a 33-yard pass from Vinson with 6:35 left in the game. ACCS scored once more as time expired on a 1-yard run by Wells.

Loy said the big plays were sort of a double-edged sword, but he was glad they gave Trinity a comfortable lead for most of the game.

“It helps us to an extent, but it puts our defense back on the field, too,” Loy said. “We’d like to grind that clock a little more, but you can’t complain about explosive plays.”

King said giving up big plays was another indication that his team needs to continue improving every week.

“We’re practicing hard, but we’re not where we need to be right now to play with these teams that we’re playing, and we knew that when we got here,” King said. “That’s going to be the joy and the fun of it.”

Trinity (4-2) will play at Central Private next week. ACCS (3-3) will travel to Centreville next week.