Natchez High is still trying to rebuild its program and reputation following a four-year stretch that saw the team win three games.

Natchez beat Petal by one point in one of those wins. And one of the others?

Alonzo Stevens remembers.

“I know what can happen any given Friday night,” the Vicksburg High coach said. “If you don’t come to play and don’t play good football, they can beat you.”

Stevens’ Gators went into Natchez two years ago with state championship hopes. The team came out on the back end of a stunning 14-12 defeat.

Under second-year coach Lance Reed, the Bulldogs (1-0) are coming off a 47-22 win over Port Gibson in the first game of the season.

The Bulldogs have talent at the skill positions, size on the offensive line and a new attitude. That is something Stevens is well aware of.

“They are playing this year with a whole lot more confidence,” Stevens said. “Port Gibson beat them (in 2003) and this year, (Natchez) put 27 points on the board in the first half. They can move the ball.”

The Gators were supposed to play Natchez last Friday night, but Hurricane Katrina forced the Mississippi High School Activities Association to back the season up one week.

Vicksburg has been practicing outside, mostly in shorts and T-shirts because power to the team’s fieldhouse was out until Wednesday night. Stevens moved much of the weight room equipment under the home stands so his team could continue to lift.

“There were some things we couldn’t do because it was so dark in the fieldhouse,” Stevens said.

The Gators are coming off a 14-8 victory over Memphis Kirby. In that game, the Gators’ defense allowed minus-1 first-half yards, then had to secure the game when Kirby quarterback Javier Jackson was tackled deep in Vicksburg territory as time expired.

The Gators’ defense will be tested by the Bulldogs’ wide-open attack. Stevens said it reminds him of the system Alcorn State used when Steve McNair played quarterback. Stevens was the team’s offensive line coach during those years.

“That kind of offense always puts pressure on you,” Stevens said. “We have to play hard-nosed defense and cut down on our mistakes on offense and we’ll be all right.”