NATCHEZ — Fighting for their playoff lives is a mixed bag for the Cathedral School football players.

With two games remaining in the regular season, the Green Wave are treating each as must-win contests, just like they did with their 28-18 victory over Dexter last week.

Senior wide receiver and defensive back Kyle Bradley said the team does feel the pressure, but is using it more as motivation than a burden.

“It’s a little more difficult,” he said. “And last week was a big win, just as big as this week. We know we can’t lose.”

But Bradley knows that if the Green Wave can win this week against Hinds AHS and next week against Hartfield Academy, they will be ready for anything in the postseason.

“It will really help in the playoffs, because every game is a must win in the playoffs, like the ones we are playing right now,” he said.

Cathedral finally got over the hump against Dexter last week —  a team that had defeated the Green Wave in their last three matchups — and head coach Ron Rushing said that provided Cathedral some confidence going into the final two games.

Hinds AHS sits one game behind Cathedral in the MHSAA District 4-1A standings, and Rushing said Friday will be a tough matchup for the Green Wave.

“They’ve played some real close ball games against good teams,” Rushing said.

Bogue Chitto and Stringer — the top two teams in the district — beat Hinds AHS by an average of six points.

The Cathedral front seven will have to be ready on defense for a heavy running attack Friday, and Bradley said his role as a corner back will be to help in the run game.

“Their receivers line up tight, and when they don’t pass, I have to play run,” he said. “I like that. I like to come up and tackle.”

Cathedral scored more points last week than it had since putting up 48 in the second game of the season against Resurrection.

Bradley said the offense is starting to overcome some early-season injuries.

“We are starting to gel,” he said. “We are really starting to come together.”

Cathedral will also be celebrating military appreciation night with special camoflauge uniforms and the midfield logo painted like an American flag.

Cathedral (5-3, 4-3) will host Hinds AHS (5-4, 3-4) at 7 p.m.