NATCHEZ — Zach Rogel will go head-to-head against the man most responsible for him becoming a head football coach tonight.

As the Trinity Episcopal Day School Saints make the trek across town to face the Adams County Christian School Rebels in a jamboree, Rogel will coach against his former coach David King.

“Coach King taught me everything I know,” Rogel said. “It’s very exciting to play him, but it’s also going to be a great challenge for our team.”

While King is proud to face his former player, the ACCS head coach is looking forward to solving the problems Trinity’s skill players present. With Kevontaye Caston at quarterback, the Rebels will have to defend a quarterback who amassed 1,800 passing yards, 700 rushing yards and had 39 total touchdowns in 2014. Caston will have returning skill players Demond Fleming, Cade Wells, David Jackson and Jakarius Caston to make plays within the passing game.

“We faced Trinity in a 7-on-7 this summer, and I told Zach, ‘y’all have so much skill I thought y’all were (Copiah-Lincoln Community College),” King said. “They’re a talented group that’s well coached. It will be a great challenge.”

While King’s Rebels might lack the big-play ability they possessed a year ago, King is expecting his defense to be the anchor of the team. Chisum Mardis, Jordan Wells, Chris Sikes and Sam Butler return to headline a defense that allowed only 17.7 points per game last season. Rogel said he couldn’t wait for his team to go against an elite defense like ACCS’.

“I told our players that we are going to play a team that’s going to be competing for a state championship in (MAIS Class AAA),” Rogel said. “This will give us a chance to see what we need to improve upon across the board.”

Before the 6 p.m. junior varsity clash ahead of the two-half 20-minute running varsity exhibition, coaches Ed Reed, Bobby Mark, Jack Benson, King, Josh Loy and Ron Rushing will be recognized for winning a state championship at a Natchez school.

“I’m not really into that type of stuff, but I’m excited to see Coach Benson, Coach Reed and Coach Marks, who I played for,” King said. “It’s going to be great night.”