NATCHEZ — Bragging rights are on the line this Friday when Natchez High School travels to play Jefferson County High School.

The rivalry Natchez and Jefferson County has developed over the years always makes this game the most talked about topic in town, according to Jefferson County head coach James Herrington.

“A lot of the players know each other, and because the distance is not so far between us, people go to work on Monday after the game and boast about their team winning,” Herrington said.

In order for Jefferson County to bounce back from its 47-20 loss to South Pike in the season opener and defeat Natchez this season, the Tigers are going to have to overcome the Bulldogs’ speed, size and number advantage.

“Their depth is number one,” said Herrington, whose Jefferson County team has multiple players playing on offense and defense. “They have very few guys playing both ways, and all their units are separate units. That keeps their players fresh, and that was a big factor in their win against Wilkinson County. They wore those players down.”

Natchez High head coach Melvin Pete would like to run the ball effectively early against the Tigers Friday. Pete said he was pleased with the way his players got after Wilkinson County quarterback Desmond Hunter in the 33-7 victory against the Wildcats last Friday, and hopes to replicate that type of pressure Friday night.

“We are flying around to the football, and that’s what we want,” Pete said. “The cliché always says defense wins championships and offense puts people in the seats.”

Herrington is familiar to the pressure Natchez defensive coordinator Dan Smith likes to bring, as Herrington’s coached against him when Smith coached at Port Gibson High School.

“We are familiar with the way Dan likes to bring pressure,” Herrington said. “It’s the same style in a different jersey.”

Natchez will play at Jefferson County at 7 p.m. Friday.