NATCHEZ — Natchez High School’s Sidney Davis was already expected to contribute heavily for the Bulldogs this season.

Now, however, his already large role is expected to expand even more.

Primarily a receiver and all-purpose back, Davis will now line up as the starting quarterback after Anthony Robinson was suspended because of a violation of team rules.

“He’s a smart and athletic kid,” Reed said. “He’s very coachable, and will do whatever we ask him to. I know he’ll get the job done.”

Reed said he had to replace a great quarterback quickly, but he hopes it’s just a temporary change.

“Hopefully when Robinson comes back, he’ll take over the reins, and Davis can go back to wide receiver,” Reed said.

Davis is going into his junior year at Natchez after having a stellar 2012 season at the wide receiver position, earning him first team All-Metro honors in The Natchez Democrat.

Davis said when he was told he would be the quarterback, he wasn’t nervous. Instead, he took it as a challenge.

“I’m really stepping up for the team,” Davis said. “It’s a new challenge, and I was excited about learning a new position.”

Reed said Davis is a player that adapts easily, and moving him to quarterback was the right move for the Bulldogs.

“There’s a lot of techniques to gain, but after being told once, he fixes the immediately.” Reed said. “I have the ultimate confidence in him and what he can do for us.”

Davis said the most difficult thing to which he had to adapt was learning how to read the defense.

As Davis learns how to take the snaps, he said he takes last year’s All-Metro honors as motivation to become better.

“It gave me a heads up to what I have to do on and off the field,” Davis said. “I have to lead my team to victory.”

Reed said Davis’ athletic ability and his competitiveness is what makes Davis stand out as a player.

“He’s really strong, and he has great hands and feet,” Reed said. “He’s the ultimate competitor. He loves to win, and he can’t stand losing.”

Now that Davis has to develop his leadership skills as a team captain and quarterback, Reed said there would be a learning curve ahead for his star athlete.

“He needs to lead the offense and lead the team,” Reed said. “He must lead by example.”

The Bulldogs play their jamboree against Crystal Springs Friday, and Davis said he feels his team is ready for the challenge.

“I think we’re going to go and really compete against this team,” Davis said. “We’re going to showcase what we’ve been working on all summer.”