Just two weeks in, it’s already shaping up as an odd season for Central Hinds.

The Cougars blew an 18-point halftime lead in their opener and lost when a blocked field goal was returned for a touchdown in the last two minutes. Then, last week, they rallied from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit against Bowling Green only to lose in overtime, 33-30.

The two losses have been by a total of four points, and coach Todd Montgomery said it shows the razor-thin line Central Hinds will walk this season.

“We’ve got a small margin of error. We have opportunities to score touchdowns, we’ve got to score touchdowns. We have an opportunity to make tackles, we have to make them,” Montgomery said. “We’re not as good as we were last year. We need to make those plays.”

On Friday, Central Hinds hosts a Copiah Academy (1-1) team coming off a 21-13 loss to Brookhaven Academy. Although Central Hinds doesn’t play a district game until Oct. 7, Montgomery said September is a crucial stretch for his squad.

“No doubt, we’ve got to win some of these games in September. Not just for our confidence level, but to get on a roll. You’d like to win a few heading into district,” Montgomery said.