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Natchez High School football coach Roy Rigsby chats with his team Friday night after its game against Wilkinson County was canceled due to a threat of inclement weather. The game will not be made up. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Natchez High School football players wait in the locker room during a lightning delay Friday during a game against Wilkinson County in Natchez. The game was canceled and will not be made up. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Natchez High School football players and coaches wait in the locker room during a lightning delay Friday during a game against Wilkinson County in Natchez. The game was canceled and will not be made up. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Natchez High School quarterback Paul Hargrave lies on the floor of the locker room during a lightning delay Friday during a game against Wilkinson County in Natchez. The game was canceled and will not be made up. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Natchez High School football players and coaches wait in the locker room during a lightning delay Friday during a game against Wilkinson County in Natchez. The game was canceled and will not be made up. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Natchez High School’s football game against Wilkinson County was canceled Friday night due to the threat of inclement weather.

Natchez was leading 13-0 late in the second quarter when the game was delayed just a few minutes after 8 p.m. The game was canceled just before 9 p.m. as heavy rain and lightning were still present in the area.

The remainder of the game will not be made up.

“It was a decision by a combination of people, but we have to do what is best for the kids,” Natchez coach Roy Rigsby said. “Regardless if we desire to play, we have to make the best decision for them as far as safety is concerned.”

Rigsby said he is not sure if the game will count as an official win for Natchez High, though he was pleased with the action he was able to see Friday.

“I don’t think as a coach you ever see enough. You want to see as much as you can possibly see,” he said. “We did have some guy that came up and made some big plays offensively and defensively. As far as us improving and experiencing, it was a win for us.”

When the game was suspended, Natchez was finding a rhythm running the ball down the middle. The Bulldogs had help from running backs Joe Davis and Desnick Bolden, as well as quarterback Paul Hargrave to end with 102 yards rushing on 21 carries.

Hargrave completed 7-of-11 passes for 71 yards and no interceptions, also scoring both touchdowns through the air.

James Singleton caught the first score for 8 yards, and Cornelius Bailey caught the second for 12 yards.

“Just because we didn’t score on the runs, I still liked the part that we weren’t selfish about it,” Rigsby said. “That’s the marking of a pretty good team.”

Despite the weather, Rigsby said it is simply time to move on.

The Bulldogs are set to travel to Jefferson County next week for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

“It’s Fayette now,” he said. “We don’t make the calls, but we just have to go on to the next one.”

Wilkinson County was held to just 21 total yards of offense. The Wildcats are scheduled to play against Amite County at home next Friday night.

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