With the school’s first-ever district championship there for the taking, Cathedral High head soccer coach Paul &uot;Rocky&uot; Kettering wasn’t too happy when home team Wesson took a 1-0 lead over the Green Wave only two minutes into the district contest Thursday.

&uot;I pulled some of the starters off the field, sat them down and had a talk with them, putting the bench in the game,&uot; Kettering said. &uot;While we were on the bench, our second string scored the tying goal.&uot;

That goal was the first ever by Bill Reasor, a senior who just went out for soccer this year.

&uot;He attended soccer camp and really liked it,&uot; Kettering said.

Reasor scored off an assist by senior Jamie Ford.

The starters appeared to get the message, as when they returned the Green Wave hammered in five more straight goals to win 6-1 and clinch a first-round playoff contest at D’Evereux Stadium Feb. 4 at 3 p.m.

Cathedral’s district includes teams in Class 1A, 2A and 3A.

Kettering said the first round opponent will likely be St. Aloysius, which has never lost to the Green Wave.

The win Thursday improved Cathedral’s overall record to 6-5 overall and 5-0 in the district, with only a district game at North Pike next Thursday remaining.

Reason actually finished with two goals in the contest against Wesson, scoring the final one.

Curtis Minor also had two goals on the night, while Cory Whittington and Bryson Ogden scored on the other goals.

While Kettering had to have an early talk with his offensive players, his defense continued to play outstanding.

&uot;Our defensive players went the whole game and did a real good job,&uot; Kettering said of Ben Tilghman, Brandon Gremillion and Michael Byrne. &uot;They’ve done a good job the whole year.&uot;

Kettering said the win is special for the seniors, who were eighth graders when the soccer program was started at Cathedral.

&uot;The program has come a long way,&uot; Kettering said. &uot;This is a big moment for the seniors. It’s all paying off and they deserve the credit. They got their first district title and the other kids don’t plan on relinquishing it any time soon.&uot;

Following the game at North Pike, Cathedral plays at Natchez High Jan. 31.

The Green Wave still have a game at St. Aloysius Feb. 3 to complete the regular season.

&uot;The tough part now is for us to keep our focus after winning the district,&uot; Kettering said. &uot;We have to continue doing what we are doing and fine-tuning our game until the playoffs begin.&uot;