NATCHEZ — The Natchez Bulldogs and Ferriday Trojans understand that Friday’s game means more than just a win or a loss.

When some of the best athletes in the Miss-Lou square off against one another in Natchez, pride will be on the line, and perhaps more than recent years.

In a rivalry that Natchez has dominated, Ferriday running back Dontrell Domino plans to do everything within his power to pull off the upset win in his last season at Ferriday.

“We’ve always been so close to beating Natchez, but it’s always slipped out of our hand,” Domino said. “My main goal this year is to beat Natchez. I want to leave that legacy here, because it’s been seven or eight years straight that we haven’t beaten Natchez. I want to let future Ferriday teams know that we can beat them.”

Last year’s contest ended with Natchez taking a 36-22 victory. Ferriday lost more than the game. The Trojans lost their starting quarterback for the 2013 season when Ronald Williams, a freshman at the time, fractured his collarbone. Ever since, Williams has been itching to face Natchez again. Friday, Williams will get his chance to avenge the loss.

“I’ve had a chip on my shoulder ever since that injury,” Williams said. “We’re here. We’re coming. We just want to win.”

As eager to maintain the one-sided dominance, Natchez players are up for whatever challenge Ferriday throws their way.

“We’ve never lost to them,” said senior wide receiver Sidney Davis nonchalantly. “So I guess we aren’t going to lose this year.”

Davis, a do-it-all athlete for Natchez, scored two touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ win against Jefferson County. Quarterback Chris Scott threw for 130 yards in the win, and for a freshman getting his first taste of the Ferriday/Natchez rivalry, Scott kept a cool head at Tuesday’s practice.

“I try to block stuff like that out because sometimes it takes people off their game,” said the Natchez quarterback.

However, Scott admitted there’s an added level of excitement for Friday’s contest.

“Oh yeah, I love competing,” Scott said. “We just have to keep a level head and we’ll beat them.”

Matchups wise, Natchez has an experienced offensive line that has been providing gaping holes for Tydarrius Terrell and John Ferguson. The Bulldogs’ size upfront combined with the speed of Natchez running backs could give Ferriday fits on defense.

If the offensive line takes care of business upfront this week, Ferguson believes that will take away from the drama surrounding the rivalry game.

“I already know what we are going to bring to the table,” Ferguson said. “Our offensive line is going to work hard for us.”

Equally as important scheme-wise will be the involvement of Ferriday wide receiver J’Shon Foster. Foster is a 6-foot-5 wide receiver that will likely be targeted throughout the night.

“We’re going to throw the ball over the top to No. 1 (Foster),” said backup quarterback and starting middle linebacker Shannon Morales.

Because of Foster’s ability and frame, the Ferriday wide receiver expects to garner safety help from the Bulldogs’ secondary. He’s not so much interested in the pre-game banter either.

“I’m just ready to play,” Foster said. “I didn’t play that much last season. The 7-on-7’s in the summer really helped and showed me what I can do.”

Emotions will run high when both teams take the field Friday. Natchez will look to make a statement with another win against Ferriday, while the Trojans will battle to make history.

“We want to shock everybody, because they all feel we can’t beat them,” Morales said. “I feel like we can beat them this year.”