NATCHEZ — The Rev. John Brock always watched over the Cathedral football team, willing to lend a helping hand, give guidance or say a small prayer.

And now, even after his death in July, Brock is still watching over the Green Wave as they enter the playoffs following their most successful season in more than a decade — a season they dedicated in the former school chaplain’s memory.

“He was an inspiration for us,” Cathedral senior Rudy Lazarus said. “We really miss him a lot. Every week we’re working our hardest to win for him.”

For years, Brock would stand in his customary spot underneath the goalposts during games, saying a prayer for the team.

And senior Adam Kaiser said that hasn’t changed this season.

“I still look down there and can see him standing there,” Kaiser said. “We always tell each other to remember Father Brock. We’ve dedicated everything to him. He was our mentor.”

Cathedral athletic director and defensive coordinator Craig Beesley said Brock was more than just a chaplain. He was a mentor and friend to the students.

“He was dedicated to the athletic program,” Beesley said. “He is someone the kids could depend on. When they needed someone to talk to, he was always there for them.”

This has been a special season for the Green Wave, who won their region for the first time since 1997. They will also host their first playoff game since that season when they take on Noxapater at 7 p.m. today.

And the success of this season is no coincidence, Beesley said.

“We always talk about how he is standing over us watching us,” Beesley said. “They are playing the best they can play in his memory.”

Kaiser said it is just the team’s way of repaying Brock for all he did for them during his life.

“He is part of our family and we’re playing for him,” Kaiser said. “I know he’s real happy with us having a great year. He was always there for us, so now we’re there for him.”

Brock served two different appointments in Natchez with the Catholic church, Beesley said.

The first one was for approximately 10 years during the 90s and the second was from the mid-2000s until his death in July.

But even during the few years he was away from Natchez, Cathedral School was on his heart and mind.

“When he left Natchez the first time, he never really connected with another school,” Beesley said. “So when he came back, it was like he was coming home. The kids really understood what they meant to him and he understood what he meant to us.”

A visual representation of all Brock meant to Cathedral was unveiled earlier this season in the form of a monument inscribed with the St. Sebastian Prayer, which was the prayer Brock would say to the team before each game.

And touching the monument upon entering the field before a game is a special moment for the Cathedral players.

“It feels good touching the (monument),” Kaiser said. “It’s like Father Brock is next to us touching our heads and giving us the cross before the game.”

And just as long as the granite monument rests next to the football field, Beesley said the Brock’s memory and spirit will last even longer.

“This group of kids can pass along to the following groups how special he really was to everyone,” Beesley said. “Father Brock will be with us in memory for a long time.”