by Malcolm Butler
Following the conditioning portion of Monday morning’s Labor Day practice, Cedar Creek defensive coordinator Mark Ware could be heard spouting out stats across the field from Thursday night’s loss to Glenbrook.
The stats weren’t pretty, but they were pretty telling. In the first and third quarters, the Cougars defense was stellar. But not so much in the second and fourth quarters.
“When we were fresh, we were pretty good,” said Ware. “When we were tired, we weren’t very good. First time in my coaching career that we’ve struggled to stop the toss sweep. Never had that issue before.”
Head coach Matt Middleton chalked it up to stamina concerns and too many players having to play both ways for Creek. The Cougars faced cramping issues all night long. It was so pad that at one point, Middleton had to call a timeout because his holder (on the PAT) was cramping.
“We didn’t go through this last year,” said Middleton. “I’ll be honest with you. Were we tired a little bit last year? Yeah, but we didn’t go through this as much. We had a little bit more depth a year ago too.
“Someone (in the medical field) told me that – and I don’t know if this is what happened to us – but because of the humidity and the fact the field was wet, well that is more taxing on our legs. The ground gives and all that. That probably had a little bit more to do with it than just normal first-game issues.”
In the first and third quarters when the Cougars had fresh legs, Cedar Creek’s defense surrendered only 61 total yards. In the second quarter and fourth quarter when the Cougars were starting to tire, they surrendered close to 240 yards.
“I’m probably more over-the-top than most (coaches) on conditioning,” said Middleton. “I think the problem for us is we are playing so many guys both ways right now. Literally the only way to get in playing shape is to play. We have played a lot of kids going both ways. I’m hoping we will find our way through it, and at some point I think we will.”
On the offensive side of the football, Creek’s inability to push the ball across the goal line on two separate fourth and goal situations from the one yard line came back to bite the Cougars. Middleton said he felt that was more from a lack of execution than anything else.
“There is no question we did not execute,” said Middleton. “On both of those fourth down and goal plays we had missed assignments up front. When you are in that situation you can’t have a missed assignment. It just takes one person to bust through. It wasn’t from preparation; it was just from a lack of execution.
“I would go four from fourth and the goal line again. I would do it every time in that situation. You can write that down. If it happens Friday, I’m going for it again. At some point you’ve got to be able to execute and score on those plays.”
Middleton admitted that a few early scores in prime scoring opportunities could have changed the complexion of the entire night for Creek.
“The reality is we got to the foot line on 4th (down) and goal twice and we go four it, and we get stuffed,” said Middleton. “Then we got a touchdown called back over a stupid penalty.
“Coulda. Woulda. Shoulda. Didn’t. It could have been 21 to 6 at the half or something along those lines. Then it’s a different ball game. Maybe that forces them to have to throw the ball more in wet conditions.”
Creek will travel to face Vidalia this Friday night at 7 p.m.
“I think we are better than what we have shown so far,” said Middleton. “That’s the good news. We have some talent. We know that. We just have to start to put it all together.”
