NATCHEZ — Cathedral may not have had the best season on the gridiron, but one player stood out enough to be given a statewide honor.

Green Wave wide receiver Braxton Fondren was recently named to the first team Class 1A All-State team by the Mississippi Association of Coaches following Cathedral’s 4-6 season.

“I was extremely proud to receive the honor,” Fondren said. “It was a good reward for all the hard work I’ve put in for the last couple of years. Being recognized by the state makes me feel like I accomplished something.”

Fondren, who has spoken with schools such as Belhaven, Mississippi College and Copiah-Lincoln about continuing his football career on the collegiate level, accomplished many things during Cathedral’s 2007 season.

The senior caught 48 passes for 855 yards and nine touchdowns while also rushing for 201 yards and four more touchdowns for the Wave, who won three of their last four games after starting the season 1-5.

Fondren’s big numbers came in spite of opposing team’s defenses gearing up to stop Cathedral’s main offensive weapon.

“Every (opponent’s) coach I talked to said they knew they had to stop Braxton,” Cathedral coach Craig Beesley said. “Everybody’s defense was centered around stopping him and he was still able to excel.”

But Fondren meant so much more to the team than just his numbers.

“Braxton is the kind of kid you always like to have on a team,” Beesley said. “He’s one of the best I’ve coached at trying to help himself and the team. He’s a kid you like to coach. You wish every kid could be like him.”

One of the ways Fondren showed his value was in acting as a coach on the field to the other younger receivers on the team.

“He was a good leader for us and worked with the younger kids,” Beesley said. “They really looked up to him as a leader and hopefully that will help them step up next year and fill his shoes.”

Fondren said his love of the Green Wave program led him to act as a mentor to the younger players.

“I enjoy helping the younger players and seeing them get better as you help them,” Fondren said. “They are the future of Cathedral football. I have a pride in my school and want to pass my knowledge on to the younger players so they can have great careers as well.”