Well I’ve been here a few weeks now and I’m starting to get settled into my job.

By no means does that mean I have made my way to every school or met every coach in the area.

However, slowly but surely I’m getting around to knowing places, people and things. I just wanted to use this column to give you my impressions of my first couple of weeks here.

First of all, just like thousands of places across the country, you really can’t beat high school football on a Friday night.

In the four weeks I’ve been here I’ve been to Natchez, Cathedral, ACCS and Huntington.

Despite the fact that the home teams have lost every game I’ve been to, I’ve been impressed with the crowds, the players and especially the coaches.

I know it’s not easy to talk to the roving reporter just minutes after a tough loss, but all four coaches I have spoken with after games have been more than gracious with their time and words.

It would be very easy for a coach to blow off a reporter, especially right after losing an emotional game and having an equally emotional talk with his players in the postgame huddl

It is a little depressing, however, to realize that every time you go to a game, there seems to be some sort of curse that won’t allow the home team to win.

The curse will really be tested next week when I head to Trinity to see the undefeated Saints take on Riverfield.

If the Saints go down to defeat, then I’m sure coaches across the area might be calling here begging me not to come to their games, especially when playoff time rolls around.

There are several teams in the area who either are locked in or have a chance to make it to the playoffs.

Ferriday, Trinity, Jefferson County, Centreville and Huntington are basically locked in the playoffs. Franklin County, WCCA, Natchez, Vidalia and Block still have a shot to make it to the second season. I’m looking forward to covering all of these teams should they make their goals of a playoff appearance.

The weather is cooling off and the playoff races are heating up. So for the next few weeks, get out and enjoy some high school football.

Jeff Edwards is the sports editor of The Natchez Democrat. He can be reached at 601-445-3632 and jeff.edwards@natchezdemocrat.com