NATCHEZ — Cathedral High School quarterback Thomas Garrity was listed as the Clarion-Ledger’s statewide player of the week.

A strong performance against Stringer High School last week proved him to be one of the top players in the state after throwing for 445 yards and seven touchdowns.

Stringer wasn’t his only strong performance as he completed 27 of 55 passes for 499 yards agaisnt Bogue Chitto High School earlier this season.

Game after game, Garrity is stepping up as one of the most instrumental parts of Cathedral head coach Ron Rushing’s offense.

Ron Rushing said Garrity earned the title with his effort.

“He’s very deserving (of the title),” Rushing said. “We get the ball to a lot of people offensively, and we try to spread it out as much as we can and that’s not possible without him.”

Garrity, a 5-foot-9, 165-pound senior quarterback, has impressed many people in a short amount of time, completing 150 of 274 passes for 2,257 yards and 30 touchdowns so far this season, and Rushing said those numbers go back to his dedication in the summer.

“In the summer, he was there every day, he’s very dedicated,” Rushing said. “I’m really proud of what he’s doing. He’s the spark that makes the offense run.”

Garrity has been known to make a lot of split second decisions under pressure for the Green Wave that ultimately ends up in touchdowns, and Rushing said that comes from his nature and will to win.

“He’s a competitor and what we want with our ball handler,” he said. “The look in his eyes has changed a little bit and he’s taking control.”

Garrity and the Green Wave will take on Lumberton High School at 7 p.m. Friday.