Ron Rushing is back in Natchez, but this time not as a Rebel, not as a Saint or even as a member of the Green Wave. This time he returns as the head coach of Brookhaven Academy.

Rushing will direct his first football game in the city tonight since leaving Cathedral High School for the Cougars in 2016. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. as Trinity Episcopal hosts the former area coach and his team.

“It is always exciting to come back,” Rushing said. “My parents and wife’s family are from Natchez. We travel back and forth about every other weekend, but this is about a football game. We are looking to see what we can do to win.”

Trinity is coming off a late victory last week over Amite School Center, 22-14.

The Saints trailed by eight points at halftime, yet ended with 398 yards of total offense to seal the win.

“We are a big offensive team. That’s always been our game,” Trinity coach Graham Roberts said. “We have a lot of talent and a lot of speed.”

Roberts — in his second year at the helm — said while he has yet to coach against Rushing, he doesn’t want to undermine the task.

“They are going to be well-coached all year,” Roberts said. “When I watch the film, I’m kind of in awe at how he coaches. I know his kids are going to be extremely disciplined. I’m looking forward to it.”

Rushing began his coaching career at Brookhaven Academy before serving as an assistant at Adams County Christian School and Trinity from 2003-09. He took his first head coaching job at Cathedral in 2010, leading the Green Wave to three region titles and a state championship in 2014.

Rushing has yet to win a game at Brookhaven Academy, ending last season 0-10. The Cougars opened their season last week falling to Cathedral, 49-24, though they held a 17-0 lead after the first quarter.

Despite the loss, Rushing said he was pleased to see the quick start.

“It was definitely a good thing,” he said. “Last year we had the clock (mercy rule) turned on us for about every game.”

The recent improvement, Rushing said, is a reflection of his attempt to establish a grounded program and his hopes to secure his first victory at Brookhaven.

“Since I’ve coached at Trinity, it’ll be cool to be back on that field and in that environment,” Rushing said. “We have our numbers up, so we are trying to play a good football game. They are really athletic and have good size up front.”

Additionally, tonight’s matchup will host more than just Rushing’s return.

Trinity will honor local men and women in uniform for its second annual Blue Line Game.

Free admission will be offered to all with a law enforcement badge or EMT identification presented at the gate. A hospitality tent will also be provided for the honorees.

Roberts said since one of Trinity’s assistant coaches — Shane Daughtery — is a police officer, the cause is quite special to the Saints.

“It hits home for us,” he said. “It means a lot to us for them to risk their lives to protect us. We wanted to take an opportunity to show them we care.”