NATCHEZ — After playing three teams in lower classifications, the Natchez High Bulldogs will finally take on one of the big boys this Friday, as they travel to Vicksburg to play fellow Class 6A school Warren Central.

The Bulldogs have posted wins against Class 3A schools Jefferson County and Wilkinson County and Louisiana Class 2A school Ferriday, but don’t tell Natchez head coach Lance Reed his team has padded its record by playing patsies.

“Honestly, we feel like the three teams we played are quality teams,” Reed said. “We feel like the rivalry factor is something that’s not only good for the area, but good for us to get up for our opponent. Playing the local teams is always an exciting thing to do. Some may not agree, but we feel like those are quality teams that prepare us for district play.”

Natchez played the same three opening opponents last year before taking on Warren Central at home, and fell to the Vikings 26-23.

Reed is determined not to let the same thing happen this season.

“We feel that we had some miscues last year that cost us a loss against them,” Reed said. “We want to come out focused and prepared to give ourselves a chance to win against an opponent in our classification.”

Warren Central brings a 1-2 record into Friday, contest having lost 35-0 to Ocean Springs and 29-27 to Lawrence County before defeating Hattiesburg 20-18 last Friday.

However, despite their losing record, Reed knows the Vikings are a dangerous team.

“Warren Central is a balanced attack offensively and have got good running backs that run the ball hard,” Reed said. “They’ve got a tough fullback and solid defense. They’re a well-coached team that’s going to come out and play smart. We’re going to have to not turn the ball over and play good defense against them.”

And defense is something the Bulldogs have excelled at so far this season.

Natchez has allowed just 21 total points in three games, and shut out Ferriday in a 14-0 victory last Friday.

“Everything is about building on the previous week,” Reed said. “We want to take that momentum of having a good defensive attitude and come out this week with the same type of intensity and fierceness where we can build on that.”

Another thing Reed would like the Bulldogs to build on is the success they had running the football last week.

Natchez rushed for 156 yards as a team, and running back Kevin Bailey had 109 of those yards on 19 carries.

Reed said it is important for the running game to continue to improve so senior quarterback Javon Washington doesn’t have to carry the offense on his own.

“We know Javon can throw it around, but if we can run the football, it’s definitely a plus for us,” Reed said. “Everyone is familiar with what Javon can do and coming into a game, he’s the focal point in trying to stop our offense. When someone else can come in and pull their weight and help the offense go, it’s very instrumental to our success.”