Cathedral head coach Ron Rushing wanted his team to be playing their best football of the year heading into the back end of the regular season and playoffs, and he got their best football Friday night as the Green Wave defeated district foe Dexter 44-14.

“We played really good,” Rushing said. “We needed to come out sharp and early, and we did. We got some guys in. Everybody played in the second half.”

Cathedral dominated the first half, scoring 20 points in the first quarter and 21 in the second, while holding Dexter to just six.

Dee Fleming had three touchdown runs from 3-yards, 30-yards and 12-yards out in the first half, while Wyatt Boothe, Christian Jenkins and Conner Mire all added rushing touchdowns of their own.

Cathedral finished the night with 318 rushing yards on 33 carries. Jenkins led the way with 136 yards on 10 carries.

“He ran really well,” said Rushing of Jenkins. “There were a few times he ran and nobody was around him. The offensive line did a great job. When they did manage to get to him, he bulldozed right over them.”

Fleming finished with 58 yards, and Boothe also added 42 passing yards, completing four of his five passes.

With his starters out for the majority of the game, Rushing was able to get a good look at some of his younger talent, and also preserve the legs of his key players who will be essential in carrying Cathedral on a playoff run.

“With our district, every year it seems like seven out of the nine games are brutal,” Rushing said. “This late in the season, to be able to rest guys and get younger guys experience, is great.”

The only thing standing between Cathedral and the playoffs is a matchup with Mount Olive next week, and Rushing hopes his team can continue to stay on the roll they have been on.

“We want to play as well as we played all year,” he said. “Our goal a couple of weeks ago, after the River Oaks game, was to try and get on a roll and get to playing our best ball. The last two weeks, the kids have turned it on, and Friday, we want to play the best game we have all year.”

Not only did the win push Cathedral to 9-1 on the season, it also clinched the third region championship for the Green Wave in the past five years, something Rushing said he is extremely proud of.

“To come in and win this region, and win it three out of five, it says a lot,” he said. “Our kids are relentless and I’m really proud of them. They worked hard every day and we’ve put a lot into our program. This is a testament to them.”