NATCHEZ — The Cathedral football team’s offense is clicking so far this season, and quarterback Caleb Upton has already thrown for more than 1,300 yards and 19 touchdowns in just four games.

But every time the announcer says, “Upton’s pass complete,” there are five other Green Wave players that did their job too.

One of those Cathedral players is senior left tackle Tyrin McDuffie. McDuffie said he may not get any of the glory for Cathedral’s touchdown plays, but he definitely gets to share in the satisfaction.

“(When we score) I feel like we did our job and got it done,” he said. “It’s pretty fun, and it’s just an adrenaline rush.”

McDuffie said he and the other offensive linemen take pride in protecting Upton.

“I feel like we do a good job protecting Caleb,” he said. “We call him our brother, and we don’t want anyone to get a hold of him or hit him. I feel like I have to help him out as much as he helps the team out.”

McDuffie became the starter at left tackle last season, but this year he sees himself as more of a leader.

“I play every play like it’s my last,” he said. “I try to stress to my teammates that we have to go at it every play, and for the seniors it’s like our last game every game.”

Cathedral head coach Ron Rushing said he has seen McDuffie develop as a vocal leader for the Green Wave.

“He anchors down the left side, and as a leader he’s really grown the last two years,” Rushing said. “He’s our senior over there, and he has a sophomore beside him, so he helps him.”

McDuffie said he started playing football in seventh grade, and he was his team’s right tackle at Robert Lewis Middle School. He said by the time he got his first start at left tackle for Cathedral last season he knew that he had found his position as an offensive lineman.

McDuffie said he considers his main strength to be his discipline, and it shows in the way he works to get better as a lineman.

“I’ve gotten bigger and just been working on my footwork,” he said.

McDuffie also plays a few snaps each game at nose guard on defense for the Green Wave, but his favorite position is left tackle and he really enjoys a nice long running play, he said.

“It looks nice when you get good yardage on a run,” he said.

McDuffie said he hopes to continue his football career after he graduates in the spring, but he said he does have some concern that at 6’0’’ and 255 pounds he may not be big enough to play at the next level.

“I don’t know where I want to go, but I want to continue to play football. I’m hoping I can,” he said.

Until then McDuffie is focused on taking Cathedral to the top this season.

“I’m hoping we get to where we’re going to Jackson for the 1A-State (Championship),” he said.