Natchez High School head coach Roy Rigsby makes no mistake about it, he’s relying heavily on his talented crop of seniors to help turn around the program’s recent struggles.

And so far, Rigsby’s intuitions are proving to be accurate.

Natchez is fresh off a 39-0 win over rival Wilkinson County to open its 2017 campaign, with its seniors playing a big role in the victory.

Senior quarterback Chris Scott and do-it-all athletes Shavoké Herrington and EJ Woods led the offensive barrage, while senior linebacker Christopher Shropshire served at the forefront for the Bulldogs in their shutout.

“We try to set (the defense) up and gear it toward our seniors and our guys that have those special skill-sets,” NHS defensive coordinator Steve Collins said. “We try to make sure that those guys are always in on the play. And the more we can funnel the play to them, the better off we’re going to be.”

The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder is making a transition to linebacker this season from defensive end, where he served in previous seasons.

Collins said with Shropshire’s length and speed, 4.65 forty-yard dash, he makes for the ideal player at his new position.

“He’s a great linebacker,” Collins said. “He’s taken his aggressiveness to the outside linebacker position. He’s kind of one of those kids that you pray (to have).”

The rangy linebacker made his presence felt Friday night from his new post, recording a pair of tackles for loss.

“It’s basically the same, but now I’m covering more receivers than going to sack the quarterback,” Shropshire said. “I’m playing more positions, and the coaches are looking to me to be a leader now.”

Shropshire said he and the rest of the Bulldog seniors share a close bond, which can be traced back to their days playing on the Natchez Falcons youth football team.

Shropshire said it’s that cohesiveness which separates this class from previous years.

“We are just all brothers for real,” Shropshire said. “It feels good. I feel like we can turn things around.”

Natchez will look to stay on track this Friday night when it hosts rival Jefferson County.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

“We are new Bulldogs now,” Shropshire said. “We all just stick together, and we just feel like we are a stronger family.”