NATCHEZ — It’s not the district start that Natchez High School head coach Lance Reed was hoping for, but with three games left, the Bulldogs (3-5, 1-3) have just enough time to turn it around.

Things didn’t go too well for Natchez in their matchup against Laurel High School last week, and Reed said it was the result of not giving 100 percent.

“We started the game pretty active,” he said. “We made plays and gave ourselves a chance to get in the game.

“We had a chance to go into halftime down 14-7, but gave up a big play and went in 21-7.

We turned the ball over several times in a row and just got down. It’s just an example of not playing four quarters.”

Reed said the Bulldogs must do a better job of preparing for their games.

“We want to understand our opponent thoroughly, and we have to execute better,” Reed said.

But Reed is hoping for a spark of energy when wide receiver Sidney Davis returns back into the mix against Brookhaven High School Friday after sitting out the past two games because of a concussion.

“He helps us tremendously,” Reed said. “Just his presence and leadership helps a lot.”

Reed said it is difficult to be in the last leg of the season and not know what he will get from his team on Friday night.

“Our confidence level is not good right now,’ he said. “We’re still trying to figure out what we do well, and it’s kind of frustrating.”

But with Davis back and quarterback Anthony Robinson getting acclimated in his role after missing part of the season because of an injury, Reed said he hopes it will boost the players’ confidence.

“We come to practice every day and preach giving up is not acceptable,” he said. “We need to figure this out and give ourselves a chance to succeed.”

The Bulldogs host Brookhaven at 7 p.m. Friday.