NATCHEZ &8212; The Green Wave&8217;s (4-2) road to the playoffs won&8217;t get any easier this week, as the team hosts Stringer (2-5).

While Stringer&8217;s 2-5 record does not carry much of an intimidation factor, Cathedral coach Ken Beesley says that there is plenty to worry about a team that plays better than its record would indicate.

&8220;They are a team that it is hard to figure out how good they are,&8221; Beesley said. &8220;They played well against two outstanding teams.&8221;

The games Beesley is talking about are Stringer&8217;s losses to Bogue Chitto (37-20) and Mt. Olive (51-6). While on the surface 51-6 sounds like a blowout, it is worth mentioning that Stringer only trailed 14-6 at halftime.

But while the opponent is plenty of cause to worry, Beesley said his biggest concern is the play of his own team.

&8220;I&8217;m more concerned with the way my team plays than I am with (Stringer),&8221; Beesley said. &8220;If we lose, it will be more of us losing than them beating us.&8221;

The main part of Beesley&8217;s cause for concern this week is the number of distractions the team is facing outside of football.

&8220;Well, I hope we have a better attitude Friday than we have had all week,&8221; Beesley said. &8220;We had the emotional high with number 200 last week, and the added distraction of homecoming. This week we also had our ninth-week tests and the kids have just looked tired.&8221;

If that wasn&8217;t enough, Cathedral&8217;s star quarterback Patrick McDonough missed several days of school and practice this week with an illness. McDonough returned to practice Thursday, but it is doubtful that he will be back to 100 percent by gametime.

Offensively Stringer employs the use of multiple sets ranging from a Shotgun formation to the Wing-T.

&8220;They do a lot of things so they&8217;re not the easiest team to watch film of because they use so many different formations,&8221; Beesley said. &8220;Their split end is tall, and their quarterback is a good athlete. I look for them to try and throw the ball a good bit against us.&8221;

Beesley said he looks for the intensity levels to be high on both sidelines, as both teams are still in the playoff hunt.

&8220;They always give us a tough game and this time they&8217;re fighting for the playoffs too,&8221; Beesley said. &8220;I know their kids are going to be fired up, but I know our kids will be ready too.&8221;

Jim Hill at Natchez High

The Bulldogs (4-3) will celebrate homecoming by trying to snap a three-game losing skid in a match-up with Jim Hill of Jackson.

Jim Hill comes in at 4-3 as well in a game that will mean quite a bit in the Class 5A District 3 playoff hunt.

The Bulldogs come in with an 0-3 record in district play, while Jim Hill is one of several teams standing in their way with a 1-2 district record.

Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Natchez High.

Franklin County at Columbia High

The second-ranked Franklin County Bulldogs will hit the road once again (their seventh &8212; and final &8212; road trip of the season) as they roll into Columbia to take on Columbia High School.

Columbia (2-5) comes into the game on a two-game losing streak. Their only wins of the season have come against Wilkinson County and West Marion.

Game time is set for 7 p.m.

Jefferson County at Raymond

The Jefferson County Tigers (3-4) will try to pick themselves back up from two straight tough losses as they travel to face Raymond (3-4) tonight.

Game time is set for 7 p.m.

North Pike at Wilkinson County

The Wildcats of Wilkinson County will try to celebrate homecoming by finally getting in the win column tonight night when they host North Pike (3-4).

North Pike comes in having lost three of its last four.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.