NATCHEZ — It’s just part of the game, but with a shortened roster, nagging bumps and bruises aren’t the most convenient thing for Trinity Episcopal.

Head coach Josh Loy said his team was fighting through typical week-eight nicks in preparation for its game Friday against Prairie View Academy in Bastrop, La.

“We’re a little dinged up,” Loy said. “Tanner (Cage) has a strained shoulder, and we have a couple of little ankle and shoulder injuries here and there. It’s nothing major.”

Cage said he had a mild separated shoulder that has hindered his ability to practice this week.

“It’s just a stinger,” Cage said. “I’ve been practicing full (capacity) until midway through practice (Tuesday). I’ve still done drills, I just can’t catch the ball.”

Even though he expects to play, Cage said it’s very frustrating to miss practice.

“All of us are trying to get better day by day, going through drills and stuff like that,” Cage said.

Loy said he doesn’t expect anyone to miss the game Friday, though he added that receiver Dre McCoy was questionable.

“He might miss with an ankle injury, but that will be decided (today),” Loy said.

Despite the little nagging things, Loy said it’s something that’s to be expected at this point in the season.

“With our numbers being so low, it puts a strain on us, but it’s part of football,” Loy said. “You’re going to have that type of stuff.”

And since it’s a given that players might miss some time for injuries or other reasons, Loy said there’s no use losing any sleep over it.

“We have some guys with grade issues, and some with nicks and dings, but the bottom line is we need 11 to play, and I don’t think we’ll get to the point where we don’t (have 11),” Loy said.

“It’s a concern, but you can’t worry about it. We have 20 kids, and it’s a rough sport, and we’re going to have injuries and classroom issues. We just have to keep going week to week and see what we have at the end of the week.”

Prairie View (3-4) is dealing with some injuries of its own, Loy said, to the point where it’s affected the Spartans’ level of play.

“Historically, they’re a pretty good ball club, they’re just trying to get through those injuries right now,” Loy said.

For Cage, the level of pain would have to be pretty high if he was going to sit out a game, he said.

“It would have to be at least a nine out of 10,” Cage said.

Kickoff for Trinity (5-2) is at 7 p.m.