Natchez High School used all of its resources Friday night, beginning its season with a shutout victory over Wilkinson County, 39-0.

The Bulldogs (1-0) scored three times on the ground, and added three additional scores on passes from senior quarterback Chris Scott to seal the win.

“It feels good to win, especially to get the first one,” Natchez coach Roy Rigsby said.

Scott — who played just the first half — found Shavoké Herrington for a 33-yard reception midway through the first quarter to open the scoring for Natchez.

Herrington ended the game with two touchdown grabs after Scott found him again for a 24-yard score just before halftime. He accumulated 68 yards on four receptions.

“There is nothing like the end zone. It’s like home,” Herrington said. “It felt good to win to start the season.”

The Bulldogs’ run game was equally effective, utilizing eight different rushers on the night.

Senior EJ Woods led the way, rushing for 109 yards on just five carries. He found the end zone on a 46-yard run on the first play of the second half.

Jatavis Melton scored on a 6-yard run, and Joe Davis added 66 yards on 11 carries.

Paul Hargrave — who came in for Scott at quarterback during the second half — also rushed for a 4-yard touchdown.

“We knew for a fact we have six or seven good running backs, if not more,” Rigsby said. “That’s our plan and our way of pulling back the curtain. I think it makes us a more dangerous team.”

Scott’s final score was on a 24-yard pass to Woods. He ended the game passing 12-for-16 with 131 yards.

Wilkinson County struggled to find openings on offense, ending the game with just 64 all-purpose yards and four first touchdowns.

WCHS coach Kenneth Brown said the Wildcats’ disconnect started on the offensive front.

“We didn’t do a good job,” he said. “There were spurts, but we didn’t have any consistency to do what we needed to keep drives going. Overall, we just have to grow up and get tougher. Right now they are just playing a little too passive.”

The Wildcats (0-1) also continue to have uncertainty at the starting quarterback position, which Brown said led to a lack of steadiness.

Wilkinson County started Trevion Miles — who played the first half — then brought in Freddie Byrd to finish the game.

“We have been battling that situation all spring, and we still haven’t figured it out.

Sure we went with (Miles), but when the game got out of hand we gave the other one a shot,” he said.

Defensively for Natchez, Fred Givens and Jordan Coleman each recovered a fumble.

“It was a team effort defensively, and that’s how they usually play,” Rigsby said. “They played with a certain mentality. When they play aggressive, that’s when they operate well.”

Ultimately, Rigsby credited the opening-week win to his team’s confident attitude.

“I feel like there was a lot of energy across the board,” he said. “I’m glad my guys played the way I knew they could — not coming out flat. I’m proud of them.”

Natchez will host its first game of the season next Friday against Jefferson County, while Wilkinson County will travel to Amite County.