Natchez High School rising senior E.J. Woods said he and the rest of the Bulldogs have one focus this offseason: to change the culture surrounding the football program.

Natchez is attempting to erase the disappointing memories from last year’s 1-10 season under first-year coach Roy Rigsby.

“It starts in the weight room and everyone showing up to workouts so we can get better together,” Woods said. “We want to finish this year and pave the way for the younger guys.”

The 5-foot-10, 190 pounder said the evolution has already started with the Bulldogs’ spring game last month. After being shut out by McComb through the first three quarters, Natchez responded with three scores in the final period to claim an 18-13 victory.

“That was big for us because we have never had a comeback win,” Woods said. “It shows that the new things that we’re putting in are working. That was just a sneak peak for the season.”

This summer, Natchez, along with several other area football programs, are meeting every Tuesday night to compete in 7-on-7 action. The rotating scrimmages will continue for the next several weeks.

Woods, who doubles as a running back and defensive back for the Bulldogs, said the summer sessions provide his squad the opportunity to work out any weaknesses, both offensively and defensively.

“We’re working on our passing game,” Woods said. “We’re a running team, but we still have to be able to pass the ball.”

Woods is just one of several key rising seniors who are expected to play major roles for Natchez this fall.

Rigsby said he is excited about the prospects of the class and believes they are just the right mix to help lead the Bulldogs.

“I like the mentality that they bring,” he said. “I like the fact that they go beyond what is asked of them, and they have a lot of cohesiveness about them.”

Woods said the cohesiveness stems back to when they were young players competing on the Natchez Falcons youth football team.

“We all stuck together and never changed,” he said. “We’ve been playing together since we were young, and so there is a lot of chemistry.”

Woods currently holds one college scholarship offer from Jackson State University. While Woods said he is thankful for the offer, his current focus remains on the Bulldogs.

“I have a lot of goals and personal milestones,” Woods said. “But we just want to get better. It’s outstanding for me because a lot of people don’t get that chance (to play college football), but I’m going to be able to keep playing.”