NATCHEZ — Following the news of Cathedral High School and other parochial schools seeking admittance into the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools, other local MAIS schools are concerned about the timing and what it means for their clubs.

More specifically, Adams County Christian School and Trinity Episcopal Day School are worried about what it means for their individual schedules.

“The timing is not good for anybody involved,” ACCS head coach David King said. “But I’ve had a couple of days to think about it, and the bottom line in my mind is Pate Shirley and Elizabeth Smith (Cathedral upperclassmen who live in Louisiana) will be able to go to school and compete in athletics. MAIS was a big part of that, and that’s why I love this association so much.”

The updated schedules will be released today, and Cathedral representatives will meet with the MAIS tomorrow to get theirs.

The move to MAIS would potentially affect ACCS more than it would Trinity, as Cathedral is projected to be in ACCS’ district. King said a matchup against Cathedral would be outstanding for the community, as long as fans keep it respectable on both sides.

“I know Ron Rushing (Cathedral head coach) and I, we are like brothers, we have a great relationship,” King said. “I think 90 percent of the people will be fine with it, but I do worry about the 10 percent that might want to stir things up around town. Thank God those will be in the minority. For the educated people with class, this will be a great thing.”

While Cathedral’s move wouldn��t necessitate a game against Trinity, Saints head coach Zach Rogel expects it to affect his schedule, after scheduling games against three MAIS AAA schools and two MAIS AAAA opponents in 2015.

“That would be the only way it affects us, and it’s a small chance,” Rogel said. “But I’m a big believer in cross-town rivalries. That could have been the case even if they didn’t come over, though, so I’m still not sure if this is a good or bad thing.”

Rogel said he would love to have ACCS and Cathedral on the schedule in the future.

Regardless of the difficulties the timing might present, King said he’s welcomed Cathedral into the association he’s been part of since coaching at Trinity.

“They are coming into an association that is much more close-knit as a family than the MHSAA will ever be,” King said.