Friday at Mangham Stadium in Rayville, La.
Cedar Creek at Rayville at 7 p.m.
Cedar Creek vs. Lincoln Prep (Immediately After)
Cedar Creek will have one last opportunity to tune up before it opens the 2021 regular season next weekend when Head Coach Matt Middleton and the Cougars head to Mangham Stadium in Rayville this Friday to face the host Hornets and the Lincoln Prep Panthers.
The Cougars will face Rayville at 7 p.m. followed immediately by the match-up against their in-Parish neighbor Lincoln Prep. No radio or video stream is available for the Jamboree. Both match-ups will consist of 15-minute halves.
Creek is coming off a scrimmage last weekend against Jonesboro.
“Last week defensively I thought we played extremely well,” said Middleton. “Offensively we are making progress. That was only the second time they had been live with me so obviously there were some things to work on and get better. The biggest improvement is normally from the first scrimmage to the next one. We will see.
“Coach Ware stayed so def we have played really well and there has been some continuity. Offensively, we have to get better this week. I think that’s the biggest thing. I would like to throw it a little more down the field and see us make some plays on those 50-50 balls. That’s the biggest thing we are looking for this week is to have a few more explosive plays.”
In order for the Creek to get those big plays, the Cougars will rely upon starting quarterback Caden Middleton, running back Jed Worthy and slot receiver Lane Thomas. Worthy had a big scrimmage last week against Jonesboro with two interceptions, one pick-6 and one long run for another score.
“Personnel wise, if they allow us to run it and beat them that’s what we will do. If they allow us to throw it and beat them that’s what we will do. But we would like to throw it 25 to 30 times a game.”
Cedar Creek will run a 4-3 defensive scheme this year and early indications are the Cougars could be solid on that side of the football. Middleton knows early in the year, the defense will need to play well as the offense jells.
“They are coached up extremely well,” said Middleton about the Cougars defense. “They are running to the ball real aggressive. There is a lot of gang tackling going on. We are blessed to be ahead of schedule on that side of the ball.”
Special teams will also be on display Friday night, although Middleton said it won’t be “live action.”
Connor Norris will be the Creek kicker this year while Ladd Thompson will assume the punting duties.
“It’s huge,” said Middleton. “I think a lot of times people take (special teams) for granted. It can win you or lose you a game in a hurry. We are trying to put an emphasis on that in practice.”
Cedar Creek opens its regular season next Friday night in Baton Rouge against Liberty Magnet at Olympia Stadium.
