NATCHEZ &045; It’s time for three MHSAA football teams to raise the curtain tonight at the Natchez High jamboree, but all eyes may be on one particular.

Those Natchez High Bulldogs.

It’s the first taste of action for the team under new head coach Lance Reed, and the former Bulldog player and his staff have prepared as much as they could heading into tonight’s jamboree.

Action will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Tom F. Williams Stadium with four quarters of action: Jefferson County vs. Hinds AHS in the first quarter, Natchez vs. Wilkinson County in the second, Hinds vs. Wilkinson County in the third and Natchez vs. Jefferson County in the fourth.

&uot;They’re ready to see how (everything we put in) really works and if it really works,&uot; Reed said. &uot;That’s the big thing &045; we have to execute it. We’re ready to see some new meat. That’s kind of the feeling around here.&uot;

Tonight’s sessions will give the offense and defense a chance to try out the new systems the new staff implemented since the start of the summer. The offense will feature some four wideouts and some one-back sets, and the defense may base out of that 4-2-5 scheme that’s starting to become popular.

&uot;I think we may be a little ahead on offense than defense,&uot; Reed said. &uot;On defense, we’re learning and getting better every day. As the season goes on, we’ll still be putting things in and hopefully get most of the offense and defense in by the end of the year.&uot;

The cast of teams in the jamboree is a solid one for a preseason workout, particularly Hinds AHS. That’s a team that may go deep in the playoffs, but Wilkinson and Jefferson will have teams that can play well.

&uot;I think all of those teams are pretty good,&uot; Reed said. &uot;I’ve seen Fayette this summer. They have some really good athletes. I think they’ll all be a pretty good test for us.&uot;