If there is one thing Natchez High School coach Roy Rigsby has learned about his squad in the season’s early stages, it’s that they’ll compete to the very end.

“We have fight, and we’re a scrappy bunch,” Rigsby said

Perhaps the first-year coach will again learn something new about his squad today when Natchez (1-1) travels to MHSAA Class 6A power Warren Central High School in Vicksburg.

The Vikings (3-0) enter today’s showdown ranked No. 5 in the state in the latest AP poll and winners in 12 of their last 13 regular-season games.

“They’re good in every phase,” Rigsby said. “They’re good at special teams, offense and defense. That’s why they’re always going to be up there toward the top teams.”

The Bulldogs have had a week off to prepare for the highly-touted Vikings, and Rigsby said in that time his team’s focus has been on attempting to take advantage of their athletic prowess.

“We’re working on highlighting our speed,” Rigsby said. “We want to go show our talents against them, and we’re excited about the opportunity.”

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

“We’re beginning to join together and stay closer together with this unified front that we’re trying to build,” Rigsby said.