NATCHEZ — Cathedral High School fans are now also Sacred Heart High School fans entering into the final week of the season.

The Green Wave (7-4, 5-3) not only have to win against Mount Olive High School Friday, but they also have to hope Sacred Heart pulls off the upset against Salem High School. If both things happen, Cathedral is in the postseason; otherwise, the Green Wave’s season ends.

“Salem is playing really well right now, so it will be tough,” Cathedral head coach Ron Rushing said.

Senior left tackle Brandon Sandifer said he and the rest of his teammates can only worry about what they can control as they prepare for Mount Olive.

“We just have to keep it in our prayers, I guess, and hope for the best,” Sandifer said. “Either way, we have to play our heart out.”

Sandifer said, however, he understands he could be playing in the final game of his high school career.

“It’s shocking,” he said. “It really makes you think about things and puts it in a different perspective — not just with football, but with high school in general.”

Rushing said he’s been pleased with the team’s attitude this week knowing that his players don’t entirely control their own destiny.

“I’ve been really pleased,” he said. “We’ve had a good film session, and we’re looking to have a good week of practice.”

Though Mount Olive (0-9, 0-8) has yet to win a game this season, Rushing said he’s been harping on last season’s game with the Pirates, in which the Green Wave had to come back late just to squeak out a 13-12 victory.

“They’re a young team that has struggled this year,” Rushing said. ‘They’ve had some injuries and transfers before the season that really hurt them. They play hard, and I know they have some seniors who will want to win.

“We were better than them last year, and we only survived 13-12. When you turn the ball over, anything can happen. We’re wanting to go out there and play fast, have a good showing for these seniors and maybe throw in a wrinkle or two for next year.”

Just because Mount Olive hasn’t won a game, Sandifer said he doesn’t expect himself and his teammates to come out Friday overconfident.

“We always prepare for teams regardless of how good they are,” Sandifer said. “We expect that they’ll play their best.”

The Wendy’s High School Heisman award winners in the State of Mississippi were announced Monday. Mary Cockrell of Tupelo Christian Prep School and Ahmed El-sadek of Terry High School were named as state winners. Cathedral quarterback Thomas Garrity was a state finalist in Mississippi.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Friday at Mount Olive.