NATCHEZ — Hunter Ogden remembers the play like it just happened yesterday, even though it happened exactly 11 years ago today.

The date was Nov. 21, 1997 and the Natchez Bulldogs were facing elimination from the Class 5A playoffs, trailing Hattiesburg 34-27 with the ball on their own 41-yard line and 26 seconds remaining.

The Bulldogs needed a miracle and Ogden and wide receiver Clarence Parker were about to provide one.

“I got the shotgun snap and saw the blitz coming from up the middle, so I rolled right,” the former Bulldog quarterback said. “The field was real wet and the (blitzing) linebacker slipped. I threw the corner route to Clarence Parker and he jumped and made a one-handed catch. The defender went for the ball, but Clarence pulled it in and then turned on the speed and scored.”

That touchdown and subsequent two-point conversion run by T.C. Love gave the Bulldogs a thrilling 35-34 victory and sent them to the South State championship game, where they would lose 30-13 to eventual state champion Moss Point.

It was also their last playoff victory until last week’s 25-21 win over Petal.

That 1997 team, coached by Robert Raines, set a school record with 11 victories and had some dramatic flair, as they won several games in the final minute, including a 29-28 win over Meridian when the Wildcats missed a field goal on the final play of the game and a 24-22 victory over Forest Hill that was sealed when the Bulldogs stopped a two-point conversion attempt with a minute left.

Ogden said the bond the team formed throughout their years in the football program.

“When we got together in the seventh grade, it seemed like there was something different with that group, and I think our coaches saw that too,” Ogden said. “We were very disciplined and took care of each other on and off the field. The bond we had on and off the field I had never seen before.”

Brad Dean, who was a senior linebacker on the 1997 team, echoed Ogden’s sentiments about that special season.

“We had great chemistry,” Dean said. “We had played together for several years since middle school ball. We also had several athletes on that team that went on to play football at the collegiate level.”

But as special as that 1997 season was, the magic ran out and the Natchez football program went on a downward spiral that included a two-year record of 1-21 in 2001 and 2002.

That’s why the former players are so excited about the success of this year’s team, which is playing in the second round of the playoffs for the first time since that Hattiesburg game 11 years ago.

“Last Friday I was getting text messages from phone numbers I didn’t recognize,” Ogden said. “It was former teammates and alumni texting me about the game. It brings back the pride. It’s good when you go to a game and see your old teammates supporting them like you are. It really is a good feeling.”

One of those former teammates who is keeping up with this year’s version of the Bulldogs from afar is Marcus Green, who was a defensive end and captain on the 1997 team.

“I’ve been keeping up with them online and talking to friends and old teammates,” Green said. “We’ve got to keep that tradition going. This is a big game for us.”

Green said he sees similarities in the 1997 team and this year’s team, in that no one believed they could accomplish what they did.

“People were asking ‘Who’s Natchez High?’” Green said. “All you see is South Panola, Meridian, Hattiesburg and Moss Poing. People took us lightly and we showed them what it took to win. This team is so similar in facing adversity with their backs against the wall. But they’ll go out there and fight for it.”

But both Dean and Ogden said that perhaps the most important thing about the success of this year’s team is the way it can bring the community together.

“This team’s success helps the community and the school,” Dean said. “It brings a unity to the city of Natchez. For the school to have a winning football program, it’s something everyone can bond around.”

Ogden said when he was growing up, North and South Natchez High games were the hot ticket in town, and he hopes it is that way again tonight.

“Everybody used to come to those games, and now it’s not like that,” Ogden said. “There’s just something about getting 8-or 9,000 people in that stadium and getting energized. It gives you a true sense of Friday night lights. Everyone in the community should be behind them. Hopefully there’s a large turnout from everywhere around.”