NATCHEZ — The Cathedral High School Green Wave have hit the cruise control button since they’re notable win against then top-ranked Stringer High School in Week 6.

Since then, Cathedral (6-3, 4-2) has won just one of its last three games and head coach Ron Rushing said there seems to be a lack of urgency in his players as of late.

“Since the Stringer game, we’ve been flat,” Rushing said. “I don’t know if we were so excited that we won that game that we kind of fell at ease, but we haven’t been practicing like we should.”

With three games left in the regular season, Rushing and his coaching staff are putting their heads together to show their players just how vital these last three games are.

“I always tell them the truth,” he said. “If you lose another game, you’re going to be sitting home in three weeks.”

Rushing said he has to be a realist with his players if he wants to see results. And though they still may make the playoffs if they lose any more games, Rushing said the playoffs would be a much more difficult situation to handle.

“We have to win these three to control our own destiny,” Rushing said. “We don’t want to get in a situation where we have to start worrying about other people.”

The Green Wave’s next opponent is Salem High School, and Rushing said the match would be difficult because Salem is in a similar situation as they are. And it will come down to who wants the win the most.

“They played back to back games against Stringer, Hinds and Lumberton High School and went 0-3 right of the bat, so they’re a team who still have some hopes of making the playoffs,” Rushing said.

Rushing said the Green Wave must get back to who they are if they want to end this season on a good note starting with a win against Salem.

“We’re just getting back to us, getting after it in practice and giving 100 percent,” Rushing said. “We’re trying to find that attitude and get excited.”

Rushing said he depends on his seniors and key players to step up and get the team motivated. Players like Thomas Garrity will be expected to contribute a little more leadership wise than the significant passing yardage he provides. Rushing said that puts a lot on Garrity as a young player.

“There’s a lot on his shoulders, and he has to make a lot of decisions,” Rushing said.

These last three games will define the Green Wave’s season, and Rushing said practice this week will show him if his team is up for the challenge.

The Green Wave plays Salem at 7 p.m. Friday.