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Natchez High School's Jakel Irving tackles Brookhaven's Caiden Quarles Thursday night. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Natchez High School wide receiver reaches for a touchdown pass Thursday evening against (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)Brookhaven's Eddie Ratliff.

Natchez High's Carl McDonald Jr. run past a couple of Brookhaven defenders Thursday evening. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Natchez High School's Carl McDonald Jr. reaches to pick up a loose ball Thursday evening against Brookhaven defender Jamaal Brown. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Natchez High School's Kameron Morgan is tackled in the backfield Thursday night. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Natchez High School's Jay Johnson pulls in a pass Thursday night. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Natchez High School wide receiver completes a pass for a touchdown Thursday evening against Brookhaven. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

NATCHEZ — Natchez High School was hoping to send out 22 seniors on a winning note in what would likely their last home game of the 2024 regular season as the Bulldogs played host to the Brookhaven High School on Thursday night.

And even though it was Senior Night at Tom F. Williams Memorial Stadium on the Natchez High campus, Brookhaven High also had something to play for even though the Panthers had already won the Region 3-5A championship — going undefeated in region play.

Thanks to a 20-point second quarter, the Panthers were able to hold on for a 36-20 win over the Bulldogs to do what they wanted to do and that’s finish 5-0 in Region 3-5A.

Natchez High head coach Steve Davis said he took the blame for what happened to his team in the game-changing second quarter that turned a 9-6 Brookhaven High lead after one quarter of play into a 29-6 advantage at halftime.

“I took some chances and we gave them short fields. One was on a blocked punt; another was going for it on fourth down in our territory trying to regain the momentum. It was both sides. The offense was not moving. Defense was getting tired. We had blown assignments. I tried to do something to get our team going and I take the blame for that,” Davis said.

Two other things hurt the Bulldogs — a slow start, which is something that Davis has gotten all too familiar with, and penalties.

“We came out flat the first half, which has been our problem all year. Starting off fast, it’s something I tell them all the time – being locked in, being focused. I still can’t figure out why we start the game so slow,” Davis said. “We had five 15-yard personal foul penalties. A couple of holding penalties. We had close to 100 yards in penalties.”

Davis noted that the team came out and played like he would want them to do for an entire game. The defense held the Panthers to one touchdown in the second half, and that was in the third quarter. The offense put up two touchdowns, but Davis added that the Bulldogs could have scored even more points after halftime.

“We had our opportunities, but we didn’t capitalize on them. Our Achilles heel is getting in the red zone. Not finishing drives or stupid penalties,” Davis said. “We showed the second half what we’re capable of being if we just play four quarters. We’ve got the talent. We’ve got the capability. We’ve got the potential. We just don’t put it together for four quarters.”

Kaden Walton completed 12 of 22 passes for 226 and three touchdowns with two interceptions. Ken Chatman had five catches for 181 yards and three touchdowns while Ashton Minor had one catch for 39 yards. Carl McDonald Jr. led the Bulldogs’ ground game with 13 carries for 122 yards.

Jakel Irving led Natchez High’s defense with seven solo tackles, three tackles for loss, and three assists. Kyrin Johnson had eight solo tackles and two assists while Kameron Morgan had four solo tackles three assists, and one interception.

Brookhaven High (10-1, 5-0) will be the No. 1 seed from Region 3-5A and will host Region 4-5A No. 4 seed Vancleave High School next Friday at 7 p.m. in the first round of the 2024 MHSAA Class 5A South State Playoffs.

Natchez High (6-5, 2-3) is the Region 3-5A No. 4 seed and will travel to the Mississippi Gulf Coast to take on Region 4-5A champion and No. 1 seed Gautier High School (9-1, 5-0 in Region 4-5A) in a Class 5A South State first-round game at 7 p.m. next Friday.

“Going into the playoffs, we’ve got to play our best football. 5A is still wide open and we’ve got just as good a shot as anybody if we just play Natchez High football,” Davis said.

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