By matt sigler

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — The Natchez High Bulldogs have a chance to make a statement this week, and that is what head coach Melvin Pete plans to do.

“We are striving to get better,” Pete said. “This is one game to set our foundation down.”

Pete and the Bulldogs are off to a hot start at 3-0, but will travel to Vicksburg to face Warren Central (3-0) Friday for arguably their toughest test yet.

“They are a very opportunistic team,” Pete said. “They love to work on a short field. Their run game scares us, and they are just a good football team all-around. I just hope that we’re not afraid of them.”

Most teams would fear the Vikings, who have pummeled opponents this season, outscoring them 114-12 in their three wins. Pete knows that in order to be successful, his offense is going to have to be able to move the ball.

“We’ve worked on more spacing in the passing game,” Pete said. “And we are making sure we do a better job in picking up the blitz.”

This will be the first big-time test for freshman quarterback Chris Scott, who threw for 130 yards in the team’s win over Ferriday.

The Bulldogs will also lean on Sidney Davis who scored two touchdowns and John Ferguson who racked up 67 yards on the ground and found the end zone once.

As for the morale of the team sitting at 3-0, Pete said things are, “just OK.”

“We don’t want to get too high or too low,” he said.

Natchez and Warren Central are scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff.