NATCHEZ &045; Now that Cathedral is getting back healthy, coaches are trying to take a look at some different things on offense.

How about some wishbone?

The Green Wave should have everyone back for Friday night’s contest at Dexter except for the two season-ending injuries as it opens Region 4-1A play. The Wave will have Andrew Ellard, Murphy Hinson and Justin Dollar available to play with Preston Hicks and Chris Rasco out for the season.

With the return of Ellard and the Green Wave’s inability to move the ball well Friday night, the offense may take a different look Friday as MHSAA action enters Week 3.

&uot;We’re working on some new things this week,&uot; CHS head coach Ken Beesley Sr. said. &uot;We’re going to run the ball a little more than we did last week. We ran some last week, but we didn’t run much. We won’t give up on our spread offense, but we’ll try to run what fits our personnel best.&uot;

When the Wave goes into the wishbone set, it will move Patrick McDonough to quarterback and slide Matthew Hall to fullback. Hall played last week and in the jamboree at quarterback after Hicks went down with an injury, but now the offense will have sophomore McDonough at the helm.

Hall will line up with Ellard and Zach Calhoun in the backfield in the bone set.

&uot;We feel like we’ve got some great running backs in Andrew and Zach,&uot; Beesley said. &uot;That gives us three pretty good running backs. You really could say (McDonough) is a first-year player. He got hurt in about the third week of the season in a JV game and didn’t get much experience last year.

&uot;We know he’s young, and we know he’s going to make some mental mistakes, but he’s improving each day. He’ll improve each time he gets out there. We have to be patient with him.&uot;

The offense needs a spark, and it sure could use one Friday night in the start of region play. For a team that never scored less than two touchdowns all of last season, the offense needs to get established to gain some confidence.

&uot;They run a single-wing or a box, whatever you want to call it,&uot; Beesley said. &uot;They’re playing a lot better than they did last year. We’ve got to cut down on our turnovers, and our defense is going to have to step up and do a good job.&uot;

Natchez High at Vicksburg

NATCHEZ &045; The injury situation at Natchez High is improving, too. Marcus Johnson won’t play Friday night, but at least he’s up and around and actually asking to play on Friday.

Johnson suffered a neck injury last week against South Pike and was transported to a nearby hospital. In just two games, the Bulldogs probably lead the state in trips to the hospital after Tyrone Baldwin had to be carried off in Week 1.

Barring another trip to the hospital this week, the coaching staff is trying to get everyone back focused. It was the first loss of the season for the new staff but one that sounded too familiar from seasons past in the 54-18 setback.

&uot;This year we knew it wouldn’t be a perfect season,&uot; NHS head coach Lance Reed said. &uot;It’s our job to keep the kids’ heads in it and let them know each week we have a challenge ahead of us. Vicksburg is very athletic and does good things on both sides of the ball.&uot;

The Gators have put up points so far and put away a good Brookhaven squad last week, and they’ll face a Natchez defense that is still searching for an identity. Much of that is due to injuries, but the Bulldogs have given up 92 points in their two games so far.

&uot;A lot of our injuries are on the defensive side of the ball,&uot; Reed said. &uot;That doesn’t help things. We’re working on everything. We put in a decent two days and look forward to having a good day today, pick up tomorrow and see how we fare on Friday.&uot;

Velma Jackson at Jefferson

County

FAYETTE &045; It’s a sign of the times: no longer is a 20-7 win over anyone just accepted. Wins are nice, but head coach Jeffrey Harness is still pushing for something big with the Tigers.

&uot;We had some problems in the first half of last week’s game,&uot; Harness said after the game remained scoreless at half against Yazoo City. &uot;We’re trying to correct that. We’ve got to come out and play ball from the start and play four quarters of football. When we learn how to play four quarters of football, we’ll be OK.&uot;

The Tigers had turnovers problems in that first half, including three in the red zone. But credit the Tigers for returning after the break and playing better, including another standout effort from senior Ernest Havard at tailback.

They get another chance at home Friday against Velma Jackson, a team they beat 28-8 last year, in their final tuneup before region play.

&uot;I feel like we’re in one of the toughest divisions in 3A,&uot; Harness said. &uot;If we don’t play hard-nosed football, we’ll be in trouble.&uot;

Wilkinson County at Jackson, La.

WOODVILLE &045; The Wildcats have allowed just six points so far after two games, but you might want to put on the seatbelt for this one.

Jackson has a wild passing attack, and quarterback Greg Williams threw for 475 yards last week on East Iberville.

&uot;It’s a big test,&uot; WC head coach John Moore said. &uot;We’ve been doing better (defensively) of late, but it’s kind of hard to tell. The caliber of teams we’ve played doesn’t give us a good indication until we get into some stiff competition. They’re going to throw the ball 75 percent of the time.&uot;

The Wildcats like their offensive output of late, but they must alleviate the turnovers. So far they’ve lost it eight times in the red zone.

Franklin County at Loyd Star

MEADVILLE &045; The Bulldogs have rolled over two Class 4A squads so far, and they come down to the Class 2A Hornets on Friday night.

The Bulldogs will do it again with the option attack of Jasper O’Quinn at quarterback. They ran for 351 yards on 35 carries last week.