Bulldogs bounce back with win over Jim Hill

By From staff reports | The Natchez Democrat

Published Saturday, October 17, 2009

JACKSON — The Natchez High Bulldogs desperately needed to bounce back from last Friday’s disastrous 44-15 loss to Brandon, and Jim Hill proved to be the perfect tonic for a team in need of a win.

The Bulldogs traveled to Jackson and picked up a crucial Region 3-6A victory with a 25-14 win over the Tigers.

Natchez now sits at 2-2 in region play, but is just one game out of first place, which is shared by Meridian, Oak Grove and Brandon.

The Bulldogs improved to 5-3 overall with the win while Jim Hill fell to 1-7 overall and 1-3 in region play.

But much like last year’s game between the two schools — an 18-14 Natchez win — the Bulldogs were in a fight for four quarters on an incredibly sloppy and wet field.

Jim Hill jumped out on top in the first quarter after Robert Nichols intercepted a pass and returned it 23 yards for a touchdown.

Tim Rush ran in the two-point conversion to give the Tigers an 8-0 lead.

However, the early score seemed to bring out the fight in the Bulldogs, as Natchez scored the next three touchdowns.

Javon Washington started the Natchez scoring by throwing a 26-yard touchdown pass to Santorius Pollard which made the score 8-6.

Natchez took the lead in the second quarter when Joel Davis plunged in from a yard out to give the Bulldogs a 12-6 halftime lead.

Natchez’s defense got involved in the third quarter, as Brian Isaac picked up a Jim Hill fumble and raced 30 yards to paydirt to make the score 18-8.

The Tigers would not go quietly, and put forth one final charge to get back in the game when Carl Brice punched it in the end zone from a yard out.

However, Natchez finally pulled away for good in the fourth quarter when Davis raced 35 yards for a touchdown that gave the Bulldogs some breathing room.

Dominique Salter’s extra point capped the scoring on the 11-point victory.

After two consecutive road games, Natchez returns home next week to face Terry in another important region game.

Terry is also 2-2 in region play after a 14-10 loss to Oak Grove on Friday.