NATCHEZ — Last week’s 62-13 loss to Wayne County High School was Natchez High School’s worst loss in quite a few seasons.

The last time the Bulldogs gave up at least 60 points to an opponent was in 2004 — it happened twice in a 63-6 loss to Warren Central High School and a 75-38 loss to Brandon High School that year.

But NHS (2-3, 0-1) can’t afford to dwell on the lopsided loss, as the Bulldogs are set to face another key divisional opponent this week in West Jones High School. The Bulldogs will travel to Laurel to take on the Mustangs (3-1, 1-0) today.

“We’re hungry to get some things turned around,” NHS head coach Lance Reed said. “We have to work on our execution and being more physical, and those who are willing to do that, that’s who we’ll go to war with.”

Reed said turnovers — a couple of which came on special teams — and not maintaining defensive gaps were the main culprits in last week’s loss.

“It was just a multitude of things,” Reed said. “It’s tough to take a loss like that, but we have to learn to bounce back and get back on a winning track.”

The going won’t get easier this week, Reed said, as he expects West Jones to bring a tough team to the field.

“They’re going to come after us,” Reed said. “They’re led by an outstanding quarterback who’s a playmaker. They run well and try to attack you a bunch of different ways. We can’t afford to turn the ball over, and we’re going to have to match their aggressiveness.”

After giving up 318 rushing yards to Wayne County last week, Reed said his team has plenty of improving to do against the ground game.

“We’re focused on our assignments and getting people accustomed to what they do,” Reed said. “We have to tackle and play with good leverage.”

Kickoff is at 7 tonight at West Jones.