The Natchez High Bulldogs moved another step closer to clinching a playoff berth Friday night as they took care of the Forest Hill High School Patriots 40-6 in an MHSAA Region 3-5A game.

Natchez High senior quarterback Chris Scott had two first-quarter touchdowns, one passing and one rushing, before senior running back Earnest Woods took over in the third quarter as part of a big game on the ground.

Scott threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Jatavis Melton and then scored on a 1-yard run to give the Bulldogs a 12-0 lead, which they would take into halftime. Woods then scored on a 50-yard run and a 39-yard run in the third quarter to give them a commanding 26-0 lead.

Woods finished with 22 carries for 273 yards to go with one reception for 25 yards, while K’metrick Johnson added nine carries for 92 yards and one touchdown. Scott completed four of 14 passes for 33 yards with one interception.

The Bulldogs finished with 392 total rushing yards and 425 yards of total offense.

Natchez High (6-4, 3-3) must win at Laurel next Friday at 7 p.m. to earn a spot in the MHSAA Class 5A South State Playoffs.