NATCHEZ — Thoughts of U.S. military service men and women will be on the minds of the members of the Adams County Christian School football team tonight as they stand at attention for the National Anthem in their special camouflage uniforms.

And for head coach David King, that means his mind will be on his namesake, he said.

“Military veterans have always meant a lot to me,” King said. “I was actually named after my father’s uncle, who was killed in (The Battle of) Normandy.”

David Jeter was killed in Saint-Lô, France on July 12 as a member of the U.S. 3rd Armored Division. King said his father, Ray King, named the Rebels’ head coach after his great uncle.

“The military means a lot to this community, and we have seen a lot of great veterans,” King said. “They have done a lot of great things and fought for our rights, and I think this generation of kids needs to be educated a lot more about what they’ve done.”

To cap off military appreciation week at the school, the football team will honor U.S. troops with new uniforms, special tributes and a special presentation of the game ball to former Rebel coach and service member, Bill Richardson.

“It means a lot to wear these uniforms,” ACCS junior Scotty Floyd said. “Those people go everywhere and fight with these colors on, and it’s an honor to wear them.”

Floyd’s uncle, Randy Floyd, is retired from the Army and National Guard, and his cousin is currently stationed in Germany.

Floyd said his uncle would be at the game tonight.

“I don’t think he knows (about the uniforms), but he’ll be excited to see us supporting them,” he said.

Junior Hayden Newman said the Rebel players feel like it’s easy to play hard knowing what they are representing when they wear their camo uniforms.

“They have done a lot for our country, and we feel a responsibility playing hard and respecting them,” he said.

Senior Cage Ashley has been out the past few weeks with an injury — a problem that has plagued ACCS this season, King said — but he is excited to be back on the field for military night.

“It feels good showing how we can be patriotic,” he said.

Ashley said he is fond of the new uniforms, and likes how they were able to incorporate some Rebel blue into the camouflage design.

King said the injury bug has bitten his team more than any he has coached before, but the coaching staff and players are still working to overcome the medical issues.

“I have been coaching 16 years now, and never once have I mentioned injuries, but I have never seen anything like this,” he said. “We have seven guys out for the year, but that will make us stronger for the future, and I compliment these seniors for battling with us.”

When the football game begins, King said Silliman Institute would present a great challenge for ACCS.

“Silliman has clinched a playoff spot, and they are a good football team,” King said.

Sophomore Lester Wells said defense has been the key in practice this week, and he said it would be big to get a win heading into the final two games of district play.

Along with the pregame festivities, there will be a special military appreciation video put together by ACCS photography students. From noon to 3 p.m. today and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, a military themed fall festival will be on the ACCS campus.

ACCS (3-5, 0-1) will host Silliman (5-3, 3-0) at 7 p.m.