NATCHEZ — No matter what product Cathedral High School or St. Aloysius High School puts on the field, Cathedral head coach Ron Rushing always expects a hard-fought game.

“It’s always going to be a war,” Rushing said. “It’s a rivalry game, and people think it’s important.”

One year after Cathedral and St. Aloysius’ 17-14 nail-biter, the Green Wave and Flashes will trade blows with experienced rushing attacks. In Friday night’s contest at St. Aloysius, Rushing expects to get a heavy dose of the running game. Behind a stout offensive line, including 6-foot-7, 280-pound offensive lineman Drake Dorbeck, the Flashes utilize a physical running style.

“We have to be technical and use real good technique to stop it,” Rushing said. “We have to make them run north and south, and we have to match their physicality.”

Offensively, Wyatt Boothe will start for the Green Wave. With four quarters to use instead of two, Rushing plans on incorporating all offensive weapons more, including R.J. Givens and Jardarius Anderson who totaled just two catches in the 35-6 jamboree win against Wilkinson County Christian Academy.

“We’re going to be extremely balanced and spread the ball around,” Rushing said.

St. Aloysius is coming off of a playoff run that saw the Flashes play in the North State Championship in 2013. Back at quarterback for St. Aloysius is Connor Smith, who’s gained playing time in the last two seasons. Rushing said Smith has a good command of the Flashes’ offense and expects to face a balanced St. Aloysius team Friday night.

“They’re a run heavy team, but they have a senior quarterback who runs the ball good and knows what the team wants to do offensively,” Rushing said. “He manages the game well.”

The Green Wave and Flashes will continue their rivalry at 7 p.m. this Friday in Vicksburg.