NATCHEZ — It may be a year later, but the Trinity Episcopal football players should still have a sour taste left in their mouths.

The Saints were eliminated from the playoffs by the Cougars in last year’s South State championship game, and now find themselves paired up with Simpson a year later.

Trinity (8-4) will travel to Simpson Academy Friday for the second round of the MAIS Class AA South State playoffs. The Saints will face a team whose only two losses are to Class AAA’s Presbyterian Christian and Madison-Ridgeland Academy.

One local coach who has a unique perspective on the game is Adams County Christian School head coach David King. King coached Trinity against Simpson Academy last season, and his Rebels faced both the Saints and the Cougars this season.

King said he will try to make the game in Mendenhall this week to cheer on his former team, and he’s expecting a good matchup between the two schools.

“It should be a fine game between two equal football teams,” King said. “Simpson is a hard-nosed, run-the-football team. They’re not nearly as good as last year, but still physical enough to be a state championship-caliber team.”

King also had high praises for the job Trinity head coach Josh Loy has done with the Saints this year.

“Josh has done a great job with a very talented group of kids,” King said. “Tanner Cage is just a difference maker. They have several guys who can make plays, and you forget about them to try and stop him, and they’ll burn you. (Defensive coordinator) Kyle (Ketchings) has done a really good job defensively. They’ve improved each game.”

Cathedral High School

After a 30-0 win at Hartfield Academy Friday, Cathedral High School ended the season with the No. 3 seed in Region 4-1A.

The Green Wave (7-3) will head to Pelahatchie High School Friday for the opening round of the MHSAA Class 1A playoffs. This marks the Green Wave’s fourth consecutive playoff berth, and Cathedral has made the playoffs in each of head coach Ron Rushing’s years as head coach.

“Just being there as a program, where we’re competing every year at a high level and just being consistent is the biggest thing that I’m proud of,” Rushing said.

Wilkinson County High School

Wilkinson County won big in the first round of the MHSAA Class 3A playoffs Friday, tallying a 58-32 victory against Morton High School Friday.

The win pits Wilkinson County against Philadelphia High School, the No. 1 seed out of Region 5-3A. The Tornadoes are currently 12-0 on the season.

Wilkinson County (9-2) will look to ride the momentum of last week’s big game that saw Devin Voorhies and Nicholas Hull both score three touchdowns and rush for more than 100 yards. The Wildcats tallied 516 yards of total offense.

Wilkinson County Christian Academy

WCCA (10-1) has gotten used to scoring almost at will this season, and last week’s playoff game against Prentiss Christian was no exception, as the Rams blew out the Saints 51-0.

But WCCA’s opponent in the second round of the MAIS Class A South State playoffs, Heidelberg Academy, held the Rams to their lowest point output against Single A teams when the two squared off Sept. 28. The Rams came away with a victory on the road, 16-6 in that game.

The Rams have homefield advantage throughout the South State playoffs,

Block High School

The Bears finished their season going undefeated in district play after beating Northwood-Lena 34-8 Thursday night.

Block High School (8-2) secured the No. 7 seed in the LHSAA Class 1A playoffs and will host No. 26 seed Delhi Charter Friday night.

Delhi Charter enters the playoffs after going 2-2 in its region, 4-6 overall.