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NATCHEZ — For the second week in a row, the Natchez High School Bulldogs did not make it easy on themselves. Or as head coach Steve Davis put, they made it harder than they should have. But a win is a win.

Natchez High scored all of its points in the first half and held off North Pike High School’s comeback bid as the Bulldogs defeated the Jaguars 21-17 in not only both teams’ MHSAA Region 3-5A opener, but also Natchez High’s homecoming game at Tom F. Williams Memorial Stadium.

“Homecoming is always something. Glad to get the win. But the distractions that come with homecoming, that took some of our preparation away,” Davis said. “We’ve yet to play a full four quarters of football.”

While Davis said he was pleased with the way the defense played, especially in the second half, he felt like the offense could have played a whole lot better and not allow a struggling North Pike team to stay in the game as long as it did. The Jaguars fell to 1-5 overall and 0-1 in region play.

“It was more of a bend, but don’t break game defensively. We gave up some yards. They got in the red zone, but we buckled down and gave up just one score,” Davis said. “Offensively, it’s frustrating to play the way we’re playing. Untimely turnovers. We didn’t score anything in the second half. We’re doing just enough to win.”

Natchez High welcomed back three players who missed the Bulldogs’ win at Hazlehurst High School the previous week — quarterback Kaden Walton, wide receiver Ken Chatman, and linebacker Jeremiah Tillery.

“Kaden was a little rusty. He missed some throws. Ken Chatman made some big catches. Jeremiah came up huge for us in the fourth quarter,” Davis said. “He, Jakel Irving, Patrick Banks, and Kameron Morgan, they played extremely well for us defensively.”

Davis even said that Morgan was “that guy” on both sides of the ball. He threw a touchdown pass to Chatman and had a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. Defensive back Kentrell Washington stepped up and had two interceptions.

“Glad to get homecoming out of the way so we can turn to (the rest of) region play,” Davis said.

Natchez High (5-2, 1-0) will travel to Ellisville to take on region foe South Jones High School next Friday at 7 p.m. That will also be the first of three straight road games for the Bulldogs.