For the past two years, Natchez High School and Wilkinson County High School have split a pair of polarizing games.

In 2015, the Wildcats’ 33 points were enough to take care of the Bulldogs, 33-27, and in 2014, Natchez’s 33 points blew out WCHS, 33-7.

As a Class 5A school, Natchez High School may have the advantage in numbers, but WCHS’ seasoned head coach Kenneth Brown has proven Woodville can churn out Division I talent year in, and year out.

“The main thing is getting kids who have talent, and (offensive coordinator Alvin) Foster does an excellent job doing what he does, getting kids ready,” Brown said.

Brown said he and Foster have coached together for approximately six years. Foster joined the coaching staff after Brown coached him while he was a middle school and high school player. Since then, the Wildcats have pumped out several players taking reps at college football’s highest level, such as University of Southern Mississippi’s Allenzae Staggers and LSU’s Devin Voorhies.

“You have to have something to work with,” Brown said.

On the opposite sideline, Natchez head coach Roy Rigsby will be shouldering new responsibilities as a first-year head coach.

“I’ve got a lot of faith in them, and I’m ready to see the hard work they put in pay off,” Rigsby said.

Since Rigsby has taken over full-time at Natchez, he said the Bulldogs have adjusted to a 3-4 defense, which he hopes will highlight his athletic linebackers. The team has also emphasized power in numbers, precisely the advantage the 5A Bulldogs hold over the 3A Wildcats.

Rigsby said his seniors have developed impressions of him as he gives speeches about unity in practice and in the film room. He said it’s all in good fun, but it is what he hopes can become an ideal and staple to his new program.

“When I took this job, I wanted to teach a mentality,” Rigsby said. “Since I’ve been head coach we started making it an identity, part of us. … That’s one of the main things I pray — even after I leave this program — it stays a long time.”

Brown said the two teams, which have opened the their seasons against each other for several years, are familiar with each other. He knows the Bulldogs will run their offense through junior quarterback Chris Scott.

Brown said his main concern is his team’s conditioning, since its regular practice has been affected by a week of downpour.

“It’s not like we have a lot of depth at every position, but we’ll play as many kids as we can,” Brown said.

Rigsby said his team is eager to see a team not garbed in blue and gold lined up across from them.

“We’re just an excited bunch and ready to play football … looking forward to seeing somebody different,” Rigsby said.