Heading into this weekend’s game against Delta Charter, Cedar Creek was on the outside looking in when it came to the Division IV playoff picture.

However, after an impressive 57-0 win over the Storm and some other results around the state, the Cougars wake up this morning sitting at No. 15 in the state power rankings. The top 16 teams in Division IV earn a spot in the playoffs.

“It’s a big win for us,” said head coach Matt Middleton following last night’s win. “We need some things to happen with some other teams in front of us in the power rankings. But I am proud of the kids. We get 16 points for the win so that will help us.”

It did.

The Cougars end the regular season next Friday night against Tensas knowing they must win. And even then, Creek will most likely need some help.

Example: St. Frederick’s would not make the playoffs if they started this week. The Warriors (7-2) are No. 17 after Friday night’s action and a 31-14 loss to Oak Grove. However, the Warriors face Delta Charter next week and will get 16 points with a win over the Storm, moving them back into the Top 16.

At the end of the day, more than 16 teams should qualify for the playoffs in the Division IV side.

“The system is broken,” said Middleton prior to last night’s game. “The (public side) has 30 teams, and they put 24 into the playoffs. There are 29 private schools (in Division IV), and we only put 16 teams into the playoffs. The system is broken and needs to be fixed.”

To put this into perspective, the Delta Charter team that the Cougars white-washed last night is currently rated as the No. 8 team in Class A on the public side. Number 8! Creek also beat the No. 3 rated team on the public side in Oak Grove. So how big of a travesty would it be if the Cougars don’t end up in the Division IV playoffs?

A big one.

If the playoff started today, the Cougars would be matched up against the current No. 2 rated team in Sacred Heart (7-2). With one more regular season game, we will see how it all shakes out after Friday night against Tensas.

With Tensas sitting at 1-8 on the year, the Cougars will only get 11 points for the victory most likely meaning Creek will need at least one team currently sitting below them to lose.

Other Lincoln Parish teams are also sitting in playoff position. Ruston High is No. 4 in this week’s 5A ratings, trailing only Captain Shreve, Zachary and Ponchatoula. The Bearcats end their regular season against West Monroe Friday night at James Stadium with the district title on the line.

Lincoln Prep (5-4) sits at No. 12 in the Class A rankings and ends its regular season against Plain Dealing Friday night. The Panthers are sitting in good shape for the playoffs with one week remaining.

Here are the most current power ratings for Division IV on Geauxpreps.com.

1	Calvary Baptist	8	1	15.030	5.890
2	Sacred Heart	7	2	14.770	6.670
3	Ouachita Christian	9	0	14.670	4.670
4	Central Catholic	6	2	14.480	6.130
5	Opelousas Catholic	8	1	14.170	5.220
6	Southern Lab	6	2	14.090	5.750
7	Vermilion Catholic	6	3	14.050	6.890
8	St. Mary’s	7	2	13.530	5.560
9	Metairie Park Country Day	4	2	13.440	5.170
10	St. Edmund	6	3	13.330	6.110
11	Ascension Catholic	6	1	13.170	4.290
12	Riverside Academy	3	4	12.380	6.000
13	Hamilton Christian	6	2	12.330	5.250
14	Catholic – P.C.	5	4	12.320	6.330
15	Cedar Creek	5	3	12.060	6.000
16	Hanson Memorial	6	3	11.860	5.220
17	St. Frederick	6	2	11.620	4.500
18	Westminster Christian	6	3	11.010	4.670
19	Covenant Christian	3	4	9.850	5.140
20	Thrive Academy	2	5	9.660	5.710
21	Highland Baptist	4	5	9.650	5.330
22	River Oaks	3	6	8.570	5.560
23	St. Martin’s Episcopal	2	4	8.570	5.000
24	St. John	3	6	8.220	4.560
25	Central Private	2	5	7.580	4.430
26	Ascension Christian	2	6	7.130	4.380
27	Glenbrook	7	2	0.000	4.560

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