by Malcolm Butler
For the fourth time in as many years, Cedar Creek will have a different starting QB under center when the 2025 season starts.
This time it’s junior Brett Bell, a young man who hasn’t played competitive football since his eighth-grade year at Ruston Junior High.
Cougars head coach Jacob Angevine said approaching Bell was one of the first things he did after taking the job.
“He focused just on baseball and basketball his freshman and sophomore year,” said Angevine. “I think even before the (coaching) change, he had gotten his mind that he wanted to come back out and play.
“But as soon as I was named head coach, I talked to him and said, ‘Hey man, the offense is going to be different. And what I need is a leader.’ And he said, ‘Coach, I’m your guy.’”
Bell said it was an easy decision.
“I know Coach Angevine is a good coach, and I trust him,” said Bell.
Bell is no stranger to Cedar Creek athletics, playing significant roles on both the boys basketball team and the baseball team.
He follows in the footsteps at a position that has been a revolving door the past four years. Caden Middleton started under center in 2022, followed by Luke Thompson (2023) and Cason Floyd (2024). Floyd opted out of football this year for the Cougars, opening up the door for the next man up.
Bell’s decision to play is one of the reasons the Cougars fall roster is up to over 40 players, a significant jump from the past two years.
“A lot of people came out here to play this year,” said Bell. “It’s just a great opportunity. I think we all believe we are going to do something good this year.”
The path to that good started this summer during conditioning and strength training, one of the areas where Angevine said his starting QB shined.
“The entire summer he has taken on a leadership role,” said Angevine. “Whether it was in the weight room or in conditioning, Brett has been the guy in the forefront. I’m excited to see what he does this year.”
Although one may think that being a leader so quickly may be challenging on a roster and in a sport that he hasn’t been on during his first two years in high school, the 5-foot-11, 205-pounder said it wasn’t.
“Not much of a challenge,” said Bell, who did play pee wee and some middle school football at Creek before going to RJHS for his eighth-grade year. “I’m a leader over on the baseball field. We are a little school and so it’s many of the same guys. I just keep leading.”
Although he played wide receiver and cornerback in eighth grade, Bell said he is embracing his new role.
“I love it,” said Bell. “You are the captain. You are the coach on the field. You can control so much. You get to see so much.
“Coach Angevine (and the staff) have made it very easy. We have had some meetings where they really simply things. The coaching staff is great.”
