NATCHEZ — When push comes to shove, Adams County Christian School is confident in landing the defining blow.

So much so, when it’s third-and-short or third-and-medium, 295-pound right guard J.O. Adams goes to the coaching staff and utters, “34 dive.”

“Put it on us,” said Adams, calling for a running play that would follow the lead blocks of right tackle Chris Sikes and himself.

The right side of the offensive line exemplifies what this ACCS team represents in 2015 — physicality.

“We’re going into games with the mentally to wear you down, and this team is constantly saying, ‘Coach, let’s run the football.’ They like it to be honest with you,” ACCS head coach David King said.

The mentality fits the team’s overall build. With big linemen who pride themselves on being tough blocking the way for running backs who initiate contact rather than juking linebackers at the next level, the Rebels will utilize a game plan familiar to LSU football fans.

“We want to use this big line and these durable backs and play Nick Saban, Les Miles football,” King said. “We want to make these defenses put somebody else in the box and throw it over their heads with these big receivers we’ve got.”

Chisum Mardis, who will be carrying the football with Jordan Wells and Christopher White, said the Rebels will be completely opposite of what they were a year ago.

“We definitely had the skill players to be finesse last season, but with Torrey (Smith), Lester (Wells) and Trey (Fleming) gone, we have to move into more of a ground and pound team,” Mardis said. “I want to run between the tackles.”

Don’t mistake ACCS’ toughness for a one-dimensional offensive mindset, though. The Rebels will still throw it around with Carlos Woods at quarterback and Shaverick Williams, George Scott and Sam Butler at wide receiver. But a more traditional running game will better fit King’s offensive line, or at least that’s what he projects.

“This run blocking is a different mindset, and it fits them more,” King said. “It’s old fashion, get in the trenches and fire off.”

Of course, Adams has gladly accepted the scheme change.

“The team is a lot more physical, and that’s how I like to play,” Adams said. “I love lining up in a power set and ramming it down someone’s throat.”

On defense, toughness and physical play has always been a cornerstone of the Rebels’ style since King became head coach in 2012. Mardis plans on keeping that tradition, and taking it to the next level.

“I think this has the potential to be the best defense we’ve had at ACCS,” Mardis said.