The injury-plagued Natchez Bulldogs lost 53-0 to No. 3 Brandon Friday, unable to stop a rushing attack that netted 324 yards.

&uot;We were short quite a few starters,&uot; said Natchez coach Elbert &uot;Mo&uot; Lyles, whose Bulldogs were without seven players from last week, when Natchez lost 42-6 to Meridian.

Brandon jumped out to a 26-0 first-half lead, but Lyles felt his Bulldogs were still in the game at that point.

&uot;I thought we could have made a game of it at the half,&uot; he said. &uot;We had our shots, but we failed to capitalize.&uot;

Brandon quarterback Dale Pervis was an efficient 7-of-11 for 144 yards and no interceptions. Natchez quarterback Donald Butler struggled, completing 16-of-41 for 156 yards, with two interceptions.

Ronnie Richardson and Dennis davis lead the Bulldogs in tackles with six apiece.

Natchez (2-8, 1-5) finishes its season next week, hosting Forest Hill at 7:30 p.m. Friday.