NATCHEZ — Trinity Episcopal will celebrate homecoming tonight, but the Saints sure didn’t line up a typical homecoming patsy opponent.

Instead, the Saints will be taking on one of the top teams in MAIS Class AA in Central Private.

“The Trinity athletic director needs to have his head examined for scheduling Central Private for homecoming,” Trinity football coach and athletic director David King said. “We didn’t want to schedule a district opponent for homecoming, and this is the way it worked out.”

Central Private, like Trinity, is 5-0 on the season, including a victory over Oak Forest, which shut out Centreville 12-0 in the first game of the season.

“Central Private is a very solid team,” King said. “They have a very good tailback who is a strong runner. They are a seasoned bunch with 14 seniors. They play good defense and don’t make mistakes.”

King said the game will be a game of contrasts, with the Saints run and gun offense and blitzing defense against the powerful running game and stout defense of Central Private.

“Our plan is always to have a fast-paced, wide open offense and we’re going to continue to press the issue on offense and create pressure on defense,” King said. “It’s going to be two different styles of football. A conservative running game and hard-nosed defense with Central Private and a wide-open offense and blitzing defense with Trinity. It should make for an exciting game.”

King said he isn’t worried about any potential distractions that come with homecoming week.

“I’m a little surprised that there hasn’t been as many distractions as I remember in the past,” King said, “Homecoming is part of the game, every school has to do it. It’s an important event for a high school, and every coach has to go through it. It shouldn’t be an excuse for us.”

Tonight’s game against Central Private begins a tough stretch of games for the Saints, who will play four Class AA teams that made the playoffs last year in their final six games.

Playing those teams will help the Saints get ready for the playoffs, King said.

“Our kids get excited about these type of games,” King said. “It’s a good test for us. Our kids are really starting to come together.”