NATCHEZ — Robert Lewis Middle School Bulldogs will face Jefferson County Middle School Tigers today after both teams advanced to the Southwestern Athletic Jr. High Conference Football Championship.

From last year’s Bulldogs team, Bulldogs Head Coach Josh West said 20 players moved up to the ninth grade.

“This team was a completely new team, except for maybe two to three kids who actually had some experience. We have really started over. Being young it made a difference. We also gained a couple of young coaches. We were young with the coaching staff and the players,” West said about the youthful Bulldogs team.

The Bulldogs (6-0-1) will face the Jefferson County Middle School Tigers (4-1-1) today in the championship game at Jefferson County.

If the Bulldogs win, then this season will be the fourth straight season of going undefeated. The Bulldogs have won the last three SA Jr. High Conference Football Championships. The Tigers have been to the championship game four times.

“It has been the expectation to be in this championship game. This is my fifth one, and we have won the last three. Hopefully this will be No. 4. I feel blessed to have an opportunity to say I’m in the championship every year,” West said about the championship game.

One of the offensive players to watch for the Bulldogs is Jwaun Makey. This season, Makey has rushed for 300 yard and six rushing touchdowns. Makey was one of the returning players from the Bulldogs’ team last season.

One of the Bulldogs to watch on defense is defensive tackle Justin Dunbar. Dunbar has led the Bulldogs with 16 sacks this season.

“I think if we have our heads on right, this championship game should be a cake walk. We are a team who is disciplined and organized enough to beat Jefferson County,” Dunbar said about playing against the Tigers.

The Bulldogs made it into this championship game by going undefeated in the regular season.

“It’s going to be a hard-nosed football game, where we have to run the ball. We have to hone in and try to focus so we can come out on top. These kids this year, I think they all believe, based on the history of our team, because they put on the uniform, they’re guaranteed a victory. But that’s why we play the game,” West said about the championship game against Jefferson County.

The game is set to start at 6 p.m. today at Jefferson County High School.