WAYNESBORO — Natchez High School freshman quarterback Paul Hargrave will get his first start under center Friday night for the Bulldogs.

Unfortunately for Hargrave, it comes against Wayne County, a team that made it to the Class 5A semifinals last season and is consistently one of the top 5A teams in the state every year.

Hargrave, who is starting because usual quarterback Chris Scott was ejected in the Bulldogs’ last contest, a win against South Jones.

Scott will be forced to sit out until late in the third quarter.

Despite having to fight an uphill battle, Natchez head coach Henry Garner is optimistic about Friday’s matchup.

“We are just going to have to adjust, scheme and coach Paul up,” Garner said. “I’m not worried. I know we may not be where we normally are because he hasn’t gotten reps, but our scheme will be good and he’ll be comfortable with it.”

Garner is hoping his team can establish a running game early, which is something they struggled to do against South Jones. The Bulldogs ran for just 38 yards against the Braves.

“The first thing they are going to do is try to stop the run on defense,” Garner said. “So if we can establish the run, and I believe we can, we’ll be in good shape.”Running against Wayne County will be tough with the likes of Benito Jones digging his hand in the ground opposite the Bulldog offensive line.

Jones already has 41 tackles this season and racked up 69 tackles last year.

“Overall they have several athletes that are shining,” Garner said. “They have a good solid team, so we are going to have to have the proper game plan.”

The Bulldogs and War Eagles are scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff.