NATCHEZ — Tonight’s game between Trinity Episcopal and Centreville won’t have anything riding on it, but don’t tell that to fans and players of both schools.

The non-district matchup is one of the most anticipated of the year and a playoff-type atmosphere is expected when the Saints travel to Wilkinson County to meet the Tigers.

But what will happen when two of the top teams in MPSA Class AA meet in a rematch of last year’s South State championship game and could be a preview to another playoff meeting.

“It’s turned into a good rivalry,” Centreville assistant coach Brian Stutzman said. “It’s a fun rivalry because we’re all friends. It’s kind of a warm up for the playoffs.”

Trinity (10-0) and Centreville (8-2) have already clinched playoff spots, with the Saints winning District 3-AA and the Tigers finishing second in District 5-AA.

Last season, Trinity took a 36-22 win in the regular season but Centreville returned the favor with a 35-14 win in the playoffs, which ruined Trinity’s perfect season.

“That loss left us with an empty feeling,” Trinity coach David King said. “To come out of nowhere like we did last year to finish 13-1 was a great accomplishment, but we wanted more. We would love to beat them, but we know it’s going to be a tough task.”

For the second consecutive year, this game is the final one of the regular season for both teams, which both coaches say will help them prepare for the playoffs next week.

“The competition will be great and this helps you get ready for playoff action,” Stutzman said. You want to play a good team and get focused, but you also cross your fingers and hope and pray nobody gets hurt.”

King said Centreville will be the best team the Saints have faced all season.

“We won’t see anybody any better than them throughout the course of the playoffs,” King said. “They’re the favorite to win (the state championship) again. I feel like our kids are obviously excited about playing them.”

King said the key for t he Saints to win will be not turning the ball over and making some big plays on offense.

“If you give Centreville a short field on offense, they’ll score,” King said. “You have to play mistake free. But you have to come up with some big plays to beat them too. You can’t run the ball right at them. We’re going to have to open (the offense) up and have our big play guys make the plays they’ve been making all year.”

But no matter which team wins this game, they have a chance to meet up once again in the playoffs, just like last year.

“This game could be a playoff preview,” Stutzman said. “Lots of people are predicting that. It would be a great atmosphere if there were to be a rematch.”