NATCHEZ — If he could sum it up, Morgantown Middle School head football coach Henry Garner said his team was strange but a fun group to coach.

The Bulldogs were strange in that he didn’t know who would step up from week to week. But Garner said he enjoyed this year’s team, which finished 5-3 and runners-up to Amite County.

Morgantown fell to Amite County 20-14 in the Southwest Junior High Conference district title game last Thursday in what may have been a revenge game for Amite County.

“We beat them last year and lost to them this year,” Garner said.

The Bulldogs were led by a strong running game on offense to go along with a passing game that helped supplement the run.

“We were pretty balanced, but we were stronger in the running game,” Garner said. “Tydarrius Terrell was our key runner. Ironically, his season was cut short last year because of an injury he got against Amite County. But he was great for us all season.”

Garner said seventh-grade quarterback Christopher Scott also turned some heads, especially considering his youth.

“He played above-average for a seventh grader,” Garner said. “He throws the ball well and reads defenses well. When most people saw him play, they asked me if he was an eighth grader. When I told them he was a seventh grader, they were like, ‘What?’”

Defensively, Garner said his linebacking corps made up of Ernest Woods Jr., Cortez Adams and George Scott led the way.

“They seemed to go with each other,” Garner said. “It was something they had in common, and I have no idea what. When one part of the group went one way, the rest would go the same way.”

Defensive ends Jaylin Pollard and Ashton Knight were also standouts on that side of the ball, Garner said. Strong safety Elbert Lyles Jr. also played well in the defensive backfield.

“He really bailed us out in some games,” Garner said of Lyles.

With the majority of his team returning, Garner said he feels good about next year’s group. He also said the eighth graders moving on to Natchez High School would complement Lance Reed’s team well.

“They’ll be getting a good group,” Garner said. “Several of them should be able to help them out, especially on the offensive and defensive line.”