MCCOMB — In a 14-13 loss to McComb High School in a jamboree contest Friday evening, Natchez High School coach Henry Garner saw reason for optimism and plenty to work on.

In two quarters of action, Garner said his defense missed many tackles against McComb’s heavy rushing attack, allowing one of McComb’s two touchdowns.

“We took some bad angles,” Garner said. “We have to go back to the drawing board and fix some small things. Their running backs and quarterbacks had some good moves, though.”

And while the Natchez offensive line was under the most scrutiny heading into the contest, Garner said the line provided good protection for quarterback Chris Scott.

“They gave him time to set in the pocket,” Garner said. “Chris has great timing with the receivers. It was on full display. The line didn’t block as well in running situations, so we have to work on that.”

Garner added that Scott looked good throwing the ball, even though he threw an interception in the jamboree.

McComb got on the board first in the jamboree and scored on a two-point conversion to go up 8-0. Natchez answered with a 30-yard scamper from wide receiver Malik Byrd, who took a jet sweep to the house.

After a failed two-point conversion, Natchez marched the ball down the field again on its next offensive possession. Ernest Woods punched it in from approximately five yards out to give Natchez a 12-8 lead. The Bulldogs tacked on an extra point when Shamarra Grover kicked the ball through the uprights.