By Malcolm Butler
Win or lose, tonight’s home game against Jonesboro-Hodge will be the final one for the 2024 Cedar Creek Cougars.
Creek (1-8, 1-4 District 1-1A) hosts the Tigers (3-6, 3-2) at Origin Bank Stadium with kickoff slated for 7 p.m. The contest can be heard on 99.3 FM with Ray Creasy and Ben Haddox providing a call of the game.
Head coach William Parkerson and Co. hope to put a positive cap on what has been a developmental season for the young Cougar team and send its senior class off with a victory.
“We have had some good practices this week and kept it short and light,” said Parkerson. “The kids know our offense and defense at this point. We’ve done what we needed to do and let them have a little fun.
“We would like to get a win to send these seniors out on a high note. They have been a great group. They have been bought in and tried to bring the younger guys along with them. We would love to let these underclassmen spring board into the off-season with a win.”
Although the Cougars have struggled to put marks in the win column this season, they have continued to improve each week, according to Parkerson.
“The outcomes haven’t been what anyone had hoped for or worked for, but the boys have been the consummate of what a team is,” said Parkerson. “There has never been any finger pointing or complaining or passing of blame. They have left everything out on the field each and every week. Each and every week they have gotten better. They have been fun to be around, and I hate to see it come to an end.”
Jonesboro Hodge is coming off a 30-29 upset win over Glenbrook last week at home. Their wins have come against the Apache as well as a 16-14 win over Arcadia and a forfeit victory against Plain Dealing.
The Tigers are currently No. 18 in the Non-Select School Division IV power ratings and have most likely secured a playoff spot (the top 28 teams earn a postseason bid).
“Jonesboro Hodge runs the spread,” said Parkerson. “Their quarterback throws it well, and they have some receivers who can go get it. The QB is also a good runner so it will be a challenge.
“Defensively, everything starts from the 4-2-5. They have some big, athletic kids. It will be another good test.”
The Cougars are coming off a heart-breaking 14-12 loss to Arcadia last Friday.
