By Malcolm Butler
In a lot of ways, tonight’s regular season finale for Cedar Creek is almost as big as a playoff game.
When the Cougars (6-3) travel to Monroe to face St. Frederick (6-2) tonight at 7 p.m., both teams have plenty to play for as the Division IV playoffs loom right around the corner.
And no one knows it more than Matt Middleton.
“It’s a big game for both of us,” said Middleton. “They have to win to get a first round bye. We have to win to get a home playoff game. It’s a big deal for both of us.”
Creek currently sits at No. 16 in this week’s geauxpreps.com Division IV power ratings. The top 24 teams get a berth with the top eight getting a first round bye. That means the No. 16 rated team gets a home game in the first round. No. 17 goes on the road.
That’s how close the Cougars are to home vs. road next Friday night.
“If we get beat I don’t think there is any doubt we could fall out of hosting a first round playoff game,” said Middleton. “So we are talking about slight movement, but it could be the difference between a home game or a road game … a road game that could be way down south.”
After starting the season 0-2, the Cougars have won six of their last seven games with the lone loss coming to No. 1 ranked Ouachita Christian. All six of Creek’s wins during the stretch have come by double figures with only one of those games not being decided by halftime (35-20 win over Winnfield).
St. Frederick will provide a huge test for Creek. The Warriors are No. 10 in the power ratings entering the game.
The Warriors two losses have come to Class 4A Franklin Parish (23-20) and OCS (49-7) while their last four wins have been of the lopsided variety. On paper, the match-up seems to be of equal billing.
“They are a really good football team,” said Middleton. “Andy Robinson has done a phenomenal job as a football coach over there. They have a great staff. They have been there and established themselves and the program through the years.They were a semifinalist team last year, and here they are sitting at 6-2 again.
“They can score a lot of points. They have done well offensively. They have a few transfer that have become eligible in the last week and they have another one that will be eligible next week. I am kind of anxious to see some of these kids live and in person. Their running back is really good. Their quarterback is really good. They have some guys that they have sprinkled in that have brought them some fire power. We will have our hands full.
“Defensively, Billy Bell has done a great job. He coached me (years ago). He has their guys flying to the football. Continuity is huge for them and is why they are sitting where they are sitting.”
The game also pits two head coaches who go back more than 20 years from their time at Louisiana Tech.
“We met each other at LA Tech,” said Middleton. “I think a whole lot of him as a person. Andy is one of the funniest guys I’ve been around. He is full of it too. It’s going to be fun. The fun part is you get to coach against a friend who has a really good team that is really sound. That’s fun to me. But make no mistake about it … we want the Cougars to win.”
A win by the Cougars would be huge heading into the playoffs.
“The kids are excited,” said Middleton. “They know its a big ball game. Obviously we have to go execute. We have to go protect the football and do all of those things. It should be a good game.”
