NATCHEZ &045; So injuries are part of the game. But how do you explain what’s happened to Adams Christian this season?

Unlucky may be the best way. Already plagued a bit by injuries heading into last week’s pivotal contest at Central Hinds, David New went down on the first play with a shoulder injury, halfback Lee Dellinger suffered a concussion and quarterback Timmy Foster had to exit with a bruised knee.

And when the clock went to all zeroes and the Rebels lost by a score that ultimately shut them out of the playoffs, they had to wonder what could have been had everyone been healthy.

There’s still a shot Friday at home against Riverfield. A win would make them district co-champs, but they need a win and hope Prairie View pulls the upset of Copiah to get into the postseason.

&8220;It was disappointing, but they also know we’ve had somebody hurt since the jamboree,&8221; Adams head coach Bobby Marks said. &8220;They know how unlucky we’ve been. They know how well we played when we were 90 percent healthy. If we can win our last two ball games, 8-2 is pretty good. It would be the best record they’ve had around here since 1982, which is a long time ago.&8221;

Things went from bad to worse at the wrong time last week against Central Hinds. When Dellinger and New got hurt, the offense had to use Cole Bradford to run the ball out of the T formation &045; something he’s done very little of this season &045; before eventually scrapping it for the Notre Dame box.

Then Foster went out, and the Rebels called on sophomore Brian Sanderson to take over an offense that barely resembled what it looked like one month ago.

The end result was just 129 yards total offense and a scoreless second half.

&8220;We had them 14-7, and they turned it up in the second half,&8221; Marks said. &8220;They were the most physical team we played. They had two tackles who were just as tough as everybody said they were. They were 290, and they weren’t fat. They were pretty good. We played pretty well until some of our main hosses came out, and then it was over with.&8221;

As for Friday’s game against Riverfield, the only sure thing is Foster is expected to play. New went to Jackson Tuesday to have a MRI done on his shoulder, and Dellinger’s status may be determined later in the week.

James Sullivan played the entire game on the offensive line as well as James Cupit, and both were questionable going into last week’s game.

&8220;We just got kids who won’t come out,&8221; Marks said. &8220;They’re trying to do their best. They’re not using it as an excuse, but it’s overwhelming how many kids you can lose from a little ol’ football team. As injured as we are, we probably wouldn’t compete very well against the (4-AA) district champions. We really are in horrible shape right now.&8221;

Huntington at WCCA

WOODVILLE &045; The world of MPSA may stand alone in scheduling like this, but at least it serves a purpose &045; these next two games are warm-ups for the playoffs.

The Rams clinched the District 6-A title for the second straight season last week with a 35-0 win over Amite School Center, but the playoffs won’t start for another three weeks when the Rams will host Glenbrook. Now they host Huntington this week and travel to Tallulah next week before hitting the postseason.

&8220;Whenever you’re playing a game, you’ve got to take the mindset of one at a time,&8221; WCCA head coach Paul Hayles said. &8220;That’s the way our kids are going to be. That’s our goal. These two games with Huntington and Tallulah, we’ve got to focus on being as mistake-free as we can be. In that facet of it, that’s a plus.&8221;

It’ll be the fourth straight season the Rams have entered the postseason, yet they’ll try a fourth time at advancing past the first round. Last week’s win over Amite was one-sided, although the Rams held just a 12-7 lead over Amite midway through the second quarter.

From there, however, the Rams scored three touchdowns and didn’t allow much on the defensive side.

&8220;We’re slowly coming to where we need to be as far as our health,&8221; Hayles said. &8220;The biggest issue Friday was timing. Timing was such an issue, and it showed &045; especially early on. We made a lot of self-imposed mistakes. Just going the wrong way, not stepping correctly &045; things that don’t allow you to do the things you need to do. A little later things started to go our way.&8221;

Chris Gann had the biggest game as he rushed for 215 yards and three touchdowns &045; all three of the team’s scores in the second half &045; while the defense contained Amite and speedy back Casey Aldridge.

The Rams are still adjusting on defense following the loss of linebacker Collin Dor, and Friday’s game against the Hounds will be a good tuneup. The Hounds will come with their variations of the double-wing, double-tight set and moved the ball well last week against Tensas.

&8220;(That’s) A unique offense Coach (Chad) Harkins has over there,&8221; Hayles said. &8220;He’s got some talented runners. That fullback is a big kid, but it seems like he gets lost in the crowd and out of nowhere breaks a 70-yard run. They’re well-trained in following their blockers. You step on the field not well-coached against these guys, you’ll be in a bind.&8221;

Oak Forest at Centreville

CENTREVILLE &045; It’s the annual showdown of coach vs. mentor with Centreville head coach Bill Hurst matching up against a former player and assistant in OFA head coach Jason Brabham.

The Jackets have a payback mentality of sorts after losing twice to Centreville last year &045; including the South State championship &045; with a team that didn’t lose much heading into this season.

The Jackets can clinch the 4-AA championship with a win and a Trinity Episcopal loss. If the Saints win, they’ll visit OFA in two weeks for the district championship.

Claiborne at Tensas

ST. JOSEPH, La. &045; The Chiefs will finish out the schedule this week at home both this week and next week against Amite School Center with one goal in mind.

They want a winning season.

Claiborne, champs out of District 8 and last year’s state champs, will present a formidable task for the Chiefs. The Rebels downed Glenbrook last week for the title.