By TIM GUERCIO

The NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT

NATCHEZ — Natchez High Bulldogs Head football coach Roy Rigsby said he is starting off spring practice with a no negativity policy.

Rigsby, who is in his fifth year coaching Natchez High football, said he implemented the policy in his team’s first spring practice Tuesday.

“I want to impress upon them to not allow a negative play or a situation to make them negative,” Rigsby said. “We have talked about our expectations at each of our practices that we have had so far.”

Rigsby has what he calls the five A program, Attitude, Alignment, Assignment, Aggression and Accountability.

“We expect consistent progress from every player on all five of these,” Rigsby said.

Last year the Bulldogs went 7-5.

“We coach our players to progress,” Rigsby said, “keep progressing and keep getting better. My senior class last year had toughness, that rubbed off my guys for this year.”

Some the key players Rigsby said to keep an eye on this year:

*James Singleton, who played receiver last year and this year, will play quarterback. “He wants to play quarterback,” Rigsby said.

*Desnick Bolden, a senior running back, also played running back last year.

“He can run inside, can run outside, can catch from out of the backfield,” Rigsby said. “We can even line him up as a receiver in the slot.”

*Antonio Robinson will play defense only at defensive end.

“He has gotten bigger and stronger for this year,” Rigsby said.

*Zavier Vanderson is an offensive guard who played that position last year.

“Zavier has developed as a football player,” Rigsby said.

Two more players Rigsby mentioned are Brad Dean Jr., a linebacker and running back who Rigsby said is aggressive, fast and smart. The other player is Davion Bonds a defensive back.

“If they continue to develop, they could be prospects to play in college,” Rigsby said. “Spring football is simply about identifying players who are competitive. Then, as coaches, we have to recognize their skill set, so we know where to put them on the field.”