After two tough back-to-back road tests, the Natchez High Bulldogs will finally get a chance to return home.

Head coach Melvin Pete knows that is important, especially when they are taking on a West Jones (3-1) team that is one of the strongest in 5A.

“I think it is really needed,” said Pete of his Bulldogs (3-2) returning home. “We need to be at home right now and I just have to see if our guys will come back and get our stuff back together.”

West Jones enters the game off a 31-29 win against Pearl River Central and Pete has been impressed with what he has seen from them so far.

“We’re going to have to try and contain their front four,” he said. “We will also have to put a great emphasis on their running back and quarterback. They also have a receiver we will need to contain.”

Natchez will also be looking for an answer at quarterback, which is something they struggled with last Friday. Pete said he played all his quarterbacks in the game against Wayne County.

“It just depends on how the game goes,” said Pete of seeing multiple players under center. “We like to get settled in during the game and like to do different things. Chris (Scott) is a better drop back passer and Anthony (Robinson), you want to try and get into the open field and let him make plays.”

Despite the current skid, Pete isn’t worried about where his team is.

“We’ve only got one loss in the district and a win would help us understand we are back in the race,” he said. “We’re trying to run the whole race and hopefully we can pick off a few guys.”

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday.