NATCHEZ — Cathedral High School head coach Ron Rushing is looking for improvement.

Because despite sitting at 6-0 on the season (4-0 in Region 4-1A), Rushing said his team has gotten itself into a lull. And that was particularly evident in the Green Wave’s kickoff coverage against St. Aloysius Friday night.

“We were missing assignments and lacking effort,” Rushing said. “We’re trying to take care of ourselves. We’ve hit a three- or four-game stride where we’re not getting better.

“We’re just trying to bring the tempo up in practice so it’ll hopefully carry over into Friday’s game. It’s not just the kickoff coverage, it’s the offense and defense — every aspect of the game. I was very disappointed, effort and discipline-wise. We’re trying to correct that this week.”

But despite those problems, Rushing said he’s glad his team has found a way to win each week.

“I thought St. Al hurt themselves,” Rushing said. “They had a few chances to score. We’re a gritty group, but sooner or later (these mistakes) are going to come back to bite us.”

On the positive side, Rushing said he was glad to see his team’s running game take off last week, especially with running back J.D. Ealey’s game.

“The counter and trap plays were both working well,” Rushing said. “J.D. is fresh, because we haven’t needed to pound the ball as much. Our offensive line knew where they were going and played well. Teams were dropping eight into coverage, so it forced us to run.”

Rushing also said he saw several players stand out on defense.

“Peyton Jenkins, J.D. Ealey and Kyle Bradley all played well,” Rushing said. “Kyle also had a good game on offense, and he gives us another receiver to throw to. Ishmael Blackmon played the whole game at corner, which gives us more depth at defensive back.”

Cathedral will turn its attention to defending state champion Mount Olive High School. Cathedral players, coaches and fans remember last year’s thriller where Cathedral won on the road with a last-second pass, but Rushing insists this is a new year and a different team.

“I’m sure they remember it, though,” Rushing said. “I’m sure it had to be going through their heads, and I’m sure they’ve been talking about it this week.”

Because of that, Rushing said the revenge factor probably comes into play for Mount Olive.

“They have a very athletic, well-coached team,” Rushing said. “They’ve been in all the games they’ve played, and I’m sure they’ll come in and fight hard.”

There’s good news for Cathedral though: Mount Olive no longer has running back Ruben Duckworth getting carries. Duckworth graduated this past spring.

“Thank God,” Rushing said. “They look like they’re playing a lot of young kids, sophomores, but they’re very athletic, and they’re going to play hard.”

Rushing said linebacker Matthew Rymer is nursing an injury, but Rushing said he expects Rymer to be ready come Friday. Kickoff at Cathedral is at 7 Friday night.