NATCHEZ — The turf at D’evereaux Stadium was soaked with tears from Cathedral Middle School players after the Green Wave dropped a 30-16 decision to New Hebron in the Mid-South Conference championship game Tuesday night.

But coach Mark McCann knows that looking back on the season, the Cathedral players have a lot to be proud of, including a 6-0 regular season record and the conference’s western district title.

“I’m real proud of them,” McCann said. “There’s only been one other undefeated (Cathedral) team I know of and that was (current Houston Texan) Von Hutchins’ team. They’re upset now but they’ll learn what they have.”

While Cathedral rolled to the western district championship with a 5-0 district record, on Tuesday night, they ran into a team with a pair of great running backs that wore down the Green Wave defensive line in the second half.

New Hebron tailback Alexander Montgomery carried the ball 17 times for 247 yards and three touchdowns while fullback William Turnage had 15 carries for 128 yards and a touchdown of his own.

“They are a very good team,” McCann said. “Those two running backs were great.”

The Wave held a 16-8 halftime lead thanks to the efforts of their own tailback JaDarius Ealey, who rushed for two first-half touchdowns, including the go-ahead score with 26 seconds remaining in the half.

Ealey would finish the game with 68 yards on 13 carries.

However, two plays late in the third quarter would shift momentum and give the game to New Hebron.

Montgomery broke off a 55-yard scoring run with 2:47 remaining in the quarter to tie the game after his two-point run.

After holding Cathedral to a three-and-out, New Hebron scored on its first play from scrimmage when Turnage broke up the middle for a 64-yard score.

New Hebron scored an insurance touchdown in the fourth quarter on another long run by Montgomery, this one a 44-yarder.

Not to be lost in the defeat was the great offensive play of quaraterback Daniel Huffines and defensive lineman Tyler Flemming.

Huffines connected on 12-of-15 passes for 169 yards while Flemming had nine tackles and recovered a fumble.

Both of those players, along with most of the starters are eighth graders who will be playing with the varsity team next season.

“We’re looking for them next year,” McCann said. “The high school coach is waiting on them.”