CENTREVILLE — After some shaky performances to begin the season, Centreville Academy head coach Bill Hurst says it appears his team is coming together at the right time, especially his defense.

The Tigers started the season off at 2-2, which included a District 5-AA loss to Central Private, but won their third straight game in a row — all of them blowouts — with a 34-0 romp over Silliman Institute last Friday.

The Centreville defense has given up a total of 13 points in those three games while the offense has scored 110.

“I think the defense is improving,” Hurst said. “We’re a long way from having a good defense, but we’re getting better.”

The key to the Tigers’ improved play on the defensive side of the ball has been the pressure the defensive line has put on the opposing team’s quarterback.

“We’re getting some interceptions and those are coming because we’re starting to pressure the quarterback a little bit,” Hurst said. “We’re getting a better rush up front and the kids in the secondary are doing a good job of getting some interceptions.”

Hurst said the district loss to Central Private put Centreville in a hole it continues to dig out of in hopes of defending its Class AA state championship.

“We got ourselves in a big hole by losing that first district game, and we’ve got nobody to blame but ourselves,” Hurst said. “We’ve got to tend to business the next two weeks (against district foes Amite School Center and Oak Forest). If we win both of those games, I feel like we have a place in the playoffs.”

Hurst is also approaching a personal milestone, as he needs only two more victories to achieve 300 career victories.

However, he said his only concern is getting the Tigers back into the playoffs.

“I’m not thinking about (the 300 wins) at this time,” Hurst said. “I’ve got to make sure we take care of our district and get in the playoffs. Whatever happens will happen. I just want what’s best for the football team.”

Another team that is rolling through the schedule is Trinity.

The Saints racked up another win last Friday, this one a 42-14 victory over Tallulah.

Trinity is 7-0, but has only played two of its four District 3-AA games.

The Saints will play a non-district game at Silliman this Friday before playing two consecutive critical district contests — at home against River Oaks and then at Riverfield.

Huntington is also undefeated in its district. The Hounds took a 36-20 win over Riverdale last Friday, but coach Chad Harkins wasn’t happy with the way his team finished the game, as the Hounds allowed Riverdale to score 20 points in the fourth quarter.

Huntington will face its fourth consecutive District 6-A opponent when the Hounds travel to play Tallulah Academy. They will then face Glenbrook on the road for what will most likely be a game to decide the district championship.

Other MPSA games on Friday are, Adams County Christian at Claiborne Academy and Wilkinson County Christian at Riverdale.