D’VENNIO WARNER

The Natchez Democrat

The Natchez High School Bulldogs have celebrated last Friday’s win and now the team is turning its focus to this Friday’s matchup against the Brookhaven High School Panthers, head Coach Roy Rigsby said.

“I never lost faith that we could comeback, we’ve done it before,” Rigsby said. “Unfortunately, for some reason, we start slow. We’re a second-half team so I knew that we had the ability.

We won but there were so many mistakes.”

The Bulldogs (5-2, 2-1), Rigsby said, will count heavily on their offensive line this week, and offensive coordinator Robert Benson said he believes in his guys.

“As an offensive line, you have to be able to gel, and I feel like we’re gelling better as the year progresses,” Benson said.

The offensive line features only one player with previous experience playing in his current position, Rigsby said.

“We’re not where we want to be with the line yet, but chemistry and repetition is key,” Rigsby said.

Seniors Bryson Armstead, and Omari Williams are just a few of the offensive line players trying to get acclimated with their new positions this season.

“Inexperience is the biggest challenge that faces this offensive line,” Benson said. “There’s just no reps like game reps. They’re really important,” Benson said.

Rigsby said he is depending on the offensive line.

“We want to run the ball, and when you want to run the ball, you have to have great offensive line play,” Rigsby said.

“If they can play above average, then we’ll be in a good position.”

So far this year the Bulldogs are averaging 165 rushing yards per game with a total of 1,155 rushing yards on the season. Natchez will feature three running backs going forward.

“With Brad Dean Jr., Javontae Davis and Desnick Bolden,” Rigsby said, “we have a three-headed monster      running the football.”

Eliminating mental and physical mistakes are areas of importance both coaches stressed for the game against Brookhaven.

“I want to eliminate pre-snap penalties such as false starts and different things of that nature,” Benson said.

The Panthers  (5-2, 2-1) on the season have 12 total takeaways including six interceptions, and six fumble recoveries two of which returned for touchdowns.

“The key to beating a fundamentally strong,” Rigsby said, “and well-coached Brookhaven team is us not making mistakes; minimizing the mistakes and playing assignment football.

If we can have a great assignment-orientated game, then I think it increases our chances by far of winning. If we don’t turn the football over, we’ll have a chance.”