NATCHEZ — The Cathedral School football team is already playing catch-up with its opening opponent, Adams County Christian School.

MHSAA did not allow its member teams to start practicing until this week, while MAIS teams were allowed to start last week, Cathedral coach Ron Rushing said.

“We will have nine (practices) before the jamboree, and four the next week,” Rushing said. “That gives us 13 total. (ACCS) will have more practices so far (this summer), than we will have total going into that game.”

Rushing said Cathedral is not allowed to have two-a-day practices this season, so the team will practice each afternoon at 4 p.m. for approximately two to two-and-a-half hours.

“We already have to have a sense of urgency,” he said. “We have to try to perfect everything with quality reps.”

Rushing said one positive is that his team is in great condition coming out of summer workouts.

Rushing said his team’s first day of organized practice was a disappointment, but he expects improved performances the rest of the week.

“(Monday) was a throw away day, we didn’t get better (Monday),” he said. “But (Tuesday) we had everybody here on time, and we expect a good day.”

Rushing said his team would try to focus on every aspect of the game in their practice sessions each day.

“We have to work on everything, and kind of stretch it out. Scheme-wise everything is already in, we just need repetitions,” he said.

Rushing said he starts each practice off with special teams.

“Special teams period is important,” he said. “We put a lot of emphasis on special teams. We have an abundance of skill guys so special teams should be good.”

Rushing said the Aug. 12 jamboree will be his team’s first test, and a chance for the coaches to see what the players can do.

“We will kind of start getting the feel of a game atmosphere, and we have six or seven positions we want to evaluate,” Rushing said.

Rushing said his goal is to play a lot of players early in order to keep his players fresh and get players plenty of repetitions.

Cathedral kicks off its regular season Aug. 19 at ACCS.