NATCHEZ — Natchez High’s defense didn’t have a great game on Friday against Hattiesburg, giving up more than 300 yards and 25 points.

But with the game, and a playoff spot, hanging in the balance in the fourth quarter, they stepped up and delivered a victory.

The Bulldog defense stopped Hattiesburg on downs in Natchez territory twice in the final six minutes to preserve a 33-25 victory that sends the Bulldogs to the playoffs for the third consecutive year.

“We just had to forget about what had happened before and just play our game,” Natchez High linebacker Raymond Williams said. “The coaches told us that defense wins games. We just had to step it up.”

The defense had been put in a precarious situation twice by the Natchez offense in the fourth quarter, the first time when the Bulldogs were stopped on fourth down at the Hattiesburg 40-yard line with 6:40 remaining.

Natchez’s defense gave up one first down, but shut down the Tigers at the Bulldog 45-yard line, forcing a turnover on downs with 4:39 left.

However, Natchez’s offense gave the ball right back to Hattiesburg with a fumble at midfield with 3:48 remaining.

But once again, the Natchez defense bore down and didn’t let Hattiesburg get any farther than the 37-yard line.

The Tigers’ last gasp on fourth and 11 was snuffed out when Williams tackled quarterback Sanchez Johnson for a 2-yard gain with 1:43 left.

“We don’t do anything the easy way,” Natchez High coach Lance Reed said. “We still have to learn to play a complete game. We’ve got to get geared up for next week to make a run in the playoffs.”

The close victory was just another day at the office for the Bulldogs, who have made a living playing close games this season.

“We’re used to this position,” Reed said. “We have to embrace the moment and fight our way out of it. I don’t know if they like it or not, but they’re pretty good at it. It’s the hard way of doing things though.”

While the game ended up being yet another nailbiter, early it looked as if Natchez might be able to cruise to a victory.

The Bulldogs took a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter on a 3-yard run by Kevin Bailey, but Hattiesburg tied the score early in the second quarter on a 3-yard run by Devonte Clark.

But Hattiesburg’s momentum ended midway through the second quarter when Williams intercepted a Johnson pass at the Bulldogs 44-yard line.

One play later, Washington found Scott Turner open down the sideline for a 44-yard touchdown.

Following a Hattiesburg missed field goal, the Bulldogs executed a perfect two-minute drive at the end of the half, which included consecutive completions of 38 and 30 yards from Washington to Trevon Chatman and Damion Williams, respectively.

Bailey capped off the drive with a 3-yard touchdown scamper with 19 seconds remaining in the half to make the score 20-7.

But as would happen the entire game, Hattiesburg would come right back.

The Tigers scored a quick touchdown in the third quarter on a 44-yard gallop by Terrance Flowers.

After a Natchez punt, Hattiesburg cut into the lead even more with a 37-yard field goal by Matt Moore, making it 20-17 midway through the third.

But Washington would take matters into his own hands for Natchez and produce the biggest offensive play of the night when he faked a handoff to Bailey and raced up the middle untouched for a 59-yard score just 34 seconds after the field goal.

Following a Hattiesburg punt, Washington willed the Bulldogs to another score.

The senior QB rushed six times for 25 yards and completed a 16-yard pass to Derrian Johnson to set up Washington’s 7-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter. Washington finished the game with 137 yards rushing and 207 yards passing with three total touchdowns.

But once again, Hattiesburg would not lay down, as the Tigers went on a quick scoring drive that was capped off by a 4-yard run by Johnson on fourth and goal, and a two-point conversion pass from Johnson to Brandon Acker.

“Hattiesburg played hard, but we expected that,” Reed said. “They played their butts off.”

But eight points was as close as the Tigers would get, as the Natchez defense put an end to any Hattiesburg comeback hopes with its two fourth-down stops.

Natchez is the No. 3 seed from Region 3, and will play Gulfport, the No. 2 seed from Region 4, in the first round of the playoffs next Friday.

It is the first time since Natchez High School opened in 1989 that the Bulldogs have made the playoffs three consecutive years.

“I’m just proud of these kids,” Reed said of the accomplishment. “I want them to have lifelong memories they can be proud of.”