Cathedral hosts Parklane for homecoming

Published 12:02 am Friday, September 18, 2015

NATCHEZ — After a bout with the top ranked team in MAIS AAAA that resulted in a loss, the Cathedral Green Wave (3-1) got back on track last week in a blowout win against Brookhaven Academy, 41-7.

Now, the Green Wave turn their attention to Parklane Academy, another MAIS AAAA school, under the direction of new head coach Brian Stutzman, formerly of Centreville Academy.

“Coach Stutzman has done a good job over there,” Cathedral head coach Ron Rushing said. “He brought the two tight, double wing and if we can’t stop the run, it is going to be a long night. They have big strong kids and want to run the football. They are up in numbers too, around 45 players and are a lot better football team this year.”

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Parklane is coming off a 33-7 loss to Madison-Ridgeland Academy, and is currently 1-3 this year. But, their lone win came against Centreville Academy, the defending MAIS AAA state champions.

Rushing said Cathedral’s performance last week was crucial in getting the Green Wave back on track.

“The thing I like is we were a lot cleaner and knew where we were going,” he said. “We can still turn it up a notch and play harder. It is about putting together weeks of good practice. We had a great week last week and it has gone good so far this week.”

Rushing said the key to the game will be limiting the amount of time Parklane has the ball.

“The biggest thing is we can’t let them control the clock and the ball,” he said. “That offense can grind the clock and keep the ball away from our offense. We have to force them into second and third and long situations and make them throw the ball.”

Offensively for the Green Wave, Dee Fleming will once again carry the load. In just over a quarter of action last week, Fleming racked up more than 150 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, while also recording a receiving touchdown.

“(Parklane) plays a 4-3 and a little 3-3-5 and like to mix up their fronts a bit,” Rushing said. “I think if we play our assignments, I like what we can do offensively.”

The Green Wave and Pioneers and scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff at D’Evereux Stadium.