NATCHEZ — Adams County Christian School junior Brandon Ross already had his hands full with three different positions on the Rebel football team.

Now, injuries to key senior contributors have forced Ross into another role — team leader.

“It feels big (to lose those guys),” Ross said. “Cody Rhinehart was a big motivator and playmaker for us, and I’ll have to step up for him, and we lost our right linebacker (Hunter Norris), so I’ll have to step up double.

I just have to lead for the defense.”

Rhinehart, Norris and Cage Ashley are all seniors that will be out of action for the Rebels tonight, and head coach David King said those are tough losses.

“All three are senior starters that played both ways for us,” King said.

After falling 35-3 to Centreville Academy — the No. 1 team in MAIS Class AA — last week, the Rebels will face No. 2 Simpson Academy this week.

King said Simpson is a very talented team, and the Rebels know they have their hands full tonight.

“It’s pretty easy to get ready for them when you see them on film,” he said. “You see the defending state champions, and a championship caliber team again this year.”

Tonight is homecoming for the Rebels, and Ross said it is important for him to try to get a win for the seniors.

“This game is huge for the seniors, because it’s their last year,” he said. “It’s homecoming, and we get to goof off some during the week, but tomorrow we have to get serious.”

Simpson has a strong running game and a solid defense, and it defeated ACCS 40-0 last season. The Rebels gave up five long touchdowns to Centreville, and Ross said that is something that killed them last week and something they need to prevent.

“We have to play as a team,” he said. “We haven’t played as a team lately.”

The Rebels must also protect the football and make sure they tackle well against Simpson, King said.

“We have not done either very efficiently,” King said.

A win tonight would put ACCS at 4-4 on the season, and Ross said he believes it would give the Rebels a big boost in their remaining games.

“It would be a big momentum push, and I think we would be able to win the rest of the year if we can get that win,” Ross said.

ACCS will host Simpson at 7 p.m.