by Malcolm Butler
With only two games remaining and the Cedar Creek Cougars on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoffs, the final few Friday nights come down to playing for pride.
Cedar Creek (1-7, 1-3 District 1-1A) sits at No. 31 in the Select School Division IV power ratings with only the top 24 teams making it to the playoffs. Creek is a full 2.5 points behind No. 24 Delhi Charter and most likely mathematically out of the race.
However, according to head coach William Parkerson, the Cougars still have plenty to play for heading into tonight’s 7 p.m. homecoming contest against Arcadia.
“We talked about this Monday,” said Parkerson. “We want to send these seniors out the right way. Hopefully, we can get two wins. And as far as the underclassmen, it’s about finishing the year with some success that will springboard them into a great off-season. Hopefully, that sets us up to have a great year next year.”
With this week being homecoming around the school, the football game can easily take a back seat to all of the events and special days. So Parkerson has reminded his guys to stay focused on Arcadia (3-5, 2-3 District 1-1A), a team that is still fighting for a playoff berth in the Non-Select Division IV side.
“We just harp on keeping the main thing the main thing so when you see each other in 20 years, the thing you will remember is what you did on the football field on Friday,” said Parkerson.
The Hornets currently sit at No. 21 in the power ratings with the top 28 teams advancing to the playoffs on the Non-Select School Division IV side. Arcadia’s three wins have come against Southwood (0-7), Ringgold (3-5) and Plain Dealing (0-8).
In their three wins, they have averaged 39 points per game, while only tallying 8 points a contest in the five losses against Haynesville, Lakeside, Glenbrook, Carroll and Jonesboro-Hodge.
“They mix some I-formation stuff with some spread,” said Parkerson. “It seems that they like to throw it more than they run it. They have a big offensive line and some good athletes at quarterback and some of the other skill positions. It will be a challenge to keep them corralled.”
Defensively, the Hornets have recorded a pair of shutouts but have also given up 32 or more points in three outings. They lost 43-8 to Haynesville in their latest contest.
“They are a 4-2-5 team,” said Parkerson. “Big and athletic. Hopefully, we can establish the option game and get everything else going off of that.”
The contest can be heard on 99.3 FM with Ray Creasy and Ben Haddox providing a call of the action.
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