NATCHEZ — It’s not just the final score on the scoreboard Friday night that made Trinity Episcopal head coach David King happy, it’s the way his team achieved that score.

That’s because the Saints showed a physicality in their 24-13 victory over perennial MAIS Class AA power Centreville Academy that King said will bode well for them the rest of the season.

“For us to go out there and play the physical brand of football Centreville plays and stay in there with them will help us throughout the year,” King said. “There won’t be any Class A schools that are more physical than Centreville, that’s for sure.”

Trinity, the defending MAIS Class A state champion, has only one district game this season due to former district opponents Briarfield moving to 8-man football and Huntington School closing.

Therefore, the Saints have 10 non-district games on the schedule, which gives them a chance to play some tough competition that King hopes will get them ready for a playoff run to defend their state title.

The Saints have already defeated Class AAA East Rankin and AA Centreville, and will play AA power River Oaks and defending AA state champion Brookhaven Academy later this season.

“It’s part of the process,” King said. “We can’t pat ourselves on the back now. We’ve still got to go play the No. 1 and 2 ranked Class AA teams.”

Natchez High just as physical

While Trinity played a physical brand of football in defeating Centreville, the same can be said of Natchez High in the Bulldogs’ 14-0 victory over Ferriday.

The Bulldogs defense allowed the Trojans to gain just three first downs and 126 total yards in the shutout win.

“It boils back to basics,” Natchez coach Lance Reed said about the defensive effort. “Running to the football, coming to the ball low and tackling. Those are the things you must have to be a good defense, and that’s what we’re preaching.”

Natchez’s defense has given up a total of 21 points in three games, and Reed said the group is continuing to gain confidence as they get set to begin playing Class 6A opponents.

“Defensively it’s all about playing with an attitude and a fierceness,” Reed said. “You’ve definitely got to have that attitude to play defense, and we’re trying to instill that tough attitude.”

While the Bulldogs are 3-0 on the season, they haven’t faced a Class 6A team yet. However, that will change Friday night when they travel to Vicksburg to play Warren Central.

“We’re excited to go into 6A play,” Reed said. “We feel like we’ve played three quality teams that have prepared us for 6A and district play. We’re excited about our opponent Friday and look forward to redeeming ourselves from last year’s loss.”

While Natchez will begin playing 6A teams Friday, Adams County Christian will begin District 5-AA competition Friday when they take on Wilkinson County Christian.

And coach Paul Hayles is glad his team will be playing that game with a physically fit squad after an easy 31-0 victory over Amite School Center.

“We were able to stay relatively healthy,” Hayles said. “We had counted on it being a physical game. We were able to get some early points and get a lot of our players quality reps. And anytime you can do that, it’s a good thing.”

While the Rebels’ running attack has been their best offensive weapon, quarterback Johnny Smith has also played well in ACCS’ 3-0 start to its season.

Smith came on in the third quarter of the Rebels’ season opening game against CENLA after starting quarterback Kent Yates suffered a broken left arm, and has improved his play each week.

“He is progressing and his mechanics are more game ready,” Hayles said. “He’s doing a good job with his maturity level and is really leading the offense now, which is vital.”

While Smith hasn’t been asked to throw the ball much the last two weeks, Hayles said he has done a good job of directing the offense cleanly.

“One thing you can’t have is mishandled snaps and exchanges,” Hayles said. “He has really stepped up his level of play and I’m very proud of him so far.”