Natchez Middle School football coach Josh West used one word to describe his football team’s 2016 season: special.

The Bulldogs went 8-1, capping the campaign off with a resounding 28-16 win over rival Jefferson County on Oct. 20 to win the Southwestern Junior High Athletics Conference Championship.

“It meant a lot because we lost the championship to them by six points last year,” West said. “It made us hungry this summer, and we worked hard for it.”

West said the season was not only special for what the team accomplished, but also how the championship was won.

“We have 50 players on the team, and I used a majority of the roster,” West said.

On the strength of their defense, the Bulldogs outscored opponents 218-40. The first-team defense only gave up six points the entire year, West said.

Additionally, the Bulldogs were superb on special teams, as they returned five kicks back for scores, and place-kicker Juan Boteo was perfect on his extra-point attempts.

“We wanted to be the best middle school team ever,” West said. “I don’t believe a Natchez middle school team was ever that dominant, or at least in the district.”

Eighth-grade linebacker Jacorian Sewell, who rebounded from a broken leg the previous season, was the catalyst of the Bulldog defense that registered over 20 takeaways.

“He has outstanding instincts,” West said. “He’s a leader, but he doesn’t do it by talking, he does it through his actions. I’m proud of him.”

West said his squad struggled at times offensively, but it wasn’t because of a lack of weapons.

“We were a running team,” West said. “We could always run the ball, and we tried to use our speed to our advantage.”

At the quarterback post, the Bulldogs utilize a three-headed attack, led by Jordan Caston.

“That boy is elite,” West said. “He has the heart of a lion.”

When Caston wasn’t providing big plays, West leaned on do-it-all athlete Trevon Henry.

“He’s going to be the future,” West said. “When you get the ball in his hands, he’s special.”