By Malcolm Butler
Although far from ready for its season opener, Cedar Creek has made some positive strides through the first week and a half of practice according to first year head coach William Parkerson.
Prior to Tuesday evening’s workout, Parkerson said he was happy with the progress his players made through the first full week plus one day of practice.
“We got better every day,” said Parkerson. “We got better every day. From Monday to Friday, we looked like a totally different football team. As long as we keep getting better each day we will be all right.”
Besides repetitions and the expected hard work from his players, Parkerson attributed an increased player-coach relationship to the progress.
“Getting comfortable with what we are doing,” said Parkerson. “Getting comfortable with how we are practicing and what we are asking of them. Them getting to know us and us getting to know them. Just comfort.”
Monday saw the Cougars don full pads for the first time. And according to their gridiron boss, it was a typical first day in pads.
“It started off good, but as the excitement of the pads wore off we kind of hit a wall so to speak,” said Parkerson. “The extra 20 pounds took its toll. But it started off good. We were missing our center too so snaps were all over the place. The defense was really good. The offense not so much.”
Creek started out with 29 players reporting for fall camp, but after one season-ending injury to sophomore Joseph Luffey (knee) and one player deciding to quit, the Cougars roster is down to 27 healthy bodies.
Luffey was one of a number of Creek players competing for a spot on the starting offensive line, an area that is wide open according to Parkerson.
“We are a work in progress as we still try to figure out who those five guys are going to be,” said Parkerson. “Brett Johnson will be our center. And outside of that we are trying to figure out the other four guys.”
As Week No. 2 of practice continues this evening at 6 p.m., Parkerson said the goal is to continue taking steps forward.
“The offense is in so now working on little details,” said Parkerson. “Adjustments to different fronts. The base is in so now its trying to fine tune everything.”
Creek will travel to Lakeside on Aug. 18 for a scrimmage and will then face Mangham on Aug. 26 at the Bayou Jamb at West Monroe.
