NATCHEZ — Trinity Episcopal Day School’s Jacob Sandrock seems to have a knack for the big play.

In the Saints’ 48-8 win against Cenla Christian Academy in the state semifinal round of the MAIS Class A playoffs Friday, Sandrock hauled in two touchdown catches and finished with four receptions for 61 yards. He also had an interception on defense that helped set up another Saints touchdown.

“He always does that,” Saints head coach Josh Loy said. “When the moment arises, and we need plays, No. 3 is always going to step up. He’s one of those guys we can always count on.”

In his third year at Trinity, Sandrock said he’s happy he will finally get to play for a state championship.

“The first year I was here, we made it to South State and lost to Simpson (Academy), and the second year I was here, we made it to the second round and lost to the same team,” Sandrock said. “Making it to state has always been a dream of mine.”

Defensively, the Saints limited Cenla to 149 total yards of offense — 65 passing and 84 rushing. It was a far cry from the Saints’ first matchup with Cenla back in Week 1, when the Saints yielded 34 points to the Lions despite winning 44-34.

“The coaches did a good job of preparing us (last) week,” Sandrock said. “The last time we played them was the first game of the season, and we don’t have the numbers to tackle every day at practice, so playing (more) games made a difference.”

Loy was quick to credit defensive coordinator Hunter Ogden, not just for Friday’s game, but also for a season’s body of work that included five shutout wins and only allowing an average of 7.5 points per game.

“Coach Ogden, I can’t say enough about him,” Loy said. “He has taken my scheme and really run off with it and done an outstanding job all year. He deserves all the credit for preparing those guys on that side of the ball.”

Trinity (12-0) will face Marshall Academy (12-1) at 2 p.m. Saturday at Mississippi College’s Robinson-Hale Stadium in Clinton. With one more game left, Sandrock, a senior, said he and the rest of the seniors are looking to go out on a high note.

“It’s all business (this week),” Sandrock said. “We’ve got to win it.”