VICKSBURG — Clay Simmons’ 37-yard touchdown run after a Cathedral turnover in the second quarter proved to be the difference as St. Aloysius defeated the Green Wave 15-8 Friday night at Vicksburg.

&uot;It looked like the first two games,&uot; said Cathedral head coach Ken Beesley Sr. &uot;We played hard enough to win, but not well enough.&uot;

St. Aloysius scored first with 6:52 remaining in the first quarter on a 49-yard punt return by Simmons. Michael Strickland added the extra point.

&uot;We did not tackle good enough on the punt return,&uot; Beesley said.

Cathedral took the lead with 1:22 left in the first quarter on an eight-yard run by Ja’Mel Jackson, who ran in for the two-point conversion and an 8-7 lead.

Jackson had 26 carries for 117 yards to lead all rushers in the game.

Cathedral (0-4) had a chance to increase its lead in the second quarter as it drove to inside the St. Al 10 yard line, only to turn the ball over.

&uot;We would have been up two scores when we fumbled the ball,&uot; Beesley said.

St. Al took advantage of the turnover and scored on Simmons’ game-winning run with 2:20 remaining in the quarter. Simmons had nine carries for 70 yards.

&uot;The effort’s there. We’ve just got to play smarter,&uot; Beesley said. &uot;We’re beating outselves as much as they (opponents) are.&uot;

Cathedral outgained St. Al 192-143 in yards, had 12 first downs to St. Al’s 10 and was penalized only one time for five yards. Bart Lane completed five of 12 passes for 18 yards and one interception.

Cathedral hosts Loyd Star in a District 7-2A game next Friday night at 7:30 p.m. Cathedral is 0-1 in district play.