by Malcolm Butler
First year head coach Jacob Angevine knows the challenge he and his Cedar Creek football team faces entering the 2025 season.
And although Angevine is quick to embrace it, he will not have to do that alone.
The Cougars have a coaching staff that is a mix of wily old veterans and wet-behind-the-ears newcomers. And then a few coaches that fall in between.
Angevine has also peppered his coaching staff with some former Cedar Creek football alums, something that he says is integral to righting the ship this year after a 1-9 season last year.
“It’s important because those guys were playing when we were making runs deep into the playoffs,” said Angevine. “They were here having great success as individual players and as a team. I like that they are here instilling that same level of pride, saying, ‘Hey. This is what we did. This is what worked. When you all buy in these are the benefits that you can experience.’”
Creek senior Blake Robinson agrees with his head coach’s assessment of the importance of former Cougar players coaching at their old stomping grounds.
“They know the culture and what it takes to win,” said Robinson. “They were here when (Cedar Creek) was thriving. They know what they are talking about when it comes to Cedar Creek football.”
They are Austin Ginn, Lawson Lillo, and Quincy Lewis, who all donned the interlocked “CCs” on their helmet during their high school playing days.
Ginn is the old man of the group, finishing his playing days with the Cougar in 2012 after a prep career that included a pair of all-state honors. His senior year he rushed for more than 1,600 yards and scored 37 TDs for the Cougars as a two-way player.
Ginn, who works with the wide receivers and secondary, is in his second year coaching at his alma mater.
“When I got the job (at the end of last school year), I went to Austin and told him we still wanted for him to stay with us,” said Angevine. “The kids were all asking if he was going to come back and be a part of it. They hear stories and see his name on the record board and things like that. They look up to these guys and respect the success they had as players at Cedar Creek.
“Austin played in the secondary when he was here so him having that knowledge and sharing that with the guys he is coaching now is very beneficial.”
Lillo finished his Creek playing days after leading the Cougars to their last playoff appearance in 2023. The world-class powerlifter was also a two-way star for the Cougars and is currently helping with the secondary, serving as a quality control man on the defensive side of the football.
“Coach Angevine called me last summer asking if I wanted to help out with middle school,” said Lillo. “I said, ‘Sure.’ I needed something to do, and I figured I knew enough ball to help. I really liked it and knew this is what I wanted to do so I came back this year.
“Coach Angevine has meant so much to me through powerlifting and football. I would do it for free for him. It is something I enjoy, and it keeps me in the sport.”
Lillo said his focus is on doing his part to get the Cougars back to the level of football he was accustomed to during his playing days.
“We’ve had a couple of down years,” said Lillo. “I remember back when Cedar Creek was at the top when playoffs was an expectation. It was something we did every year. So, any way I can help bring that level of success back … I am here to do it.”
Lewis ended his Creek career as the school’s all-time tackles leader. And although he does not have a role with the varsity this year, he is using his time to help with the Cedar Creek middle school program.
“I love the sport,” said Lewis. “I played varsity for all four years here. I want to share what I know to the younger kids so when they hit the varsity level, they are ready to go.
“The goal is to teach them what they need to know at a younger age so when they hit high school, they understand the common knowledge stuff, the terminology. That way you can focus on other aspects when they reach the varsity level.”
Now a few years removed from his playing days, he understands that his days wearing the green and gold on Friday nights are over. But he also knows he can still have an impact on Cedar Creek football.
“I would love to be back on this field,” said Lewis. “You always wish you could put a helmet back on. I was not ready to totally stop with football, and I am so glad to be back at Cedar Creek. I love this school.”
And the Cougar players and fan base still love these guys.
“I always looked up to Lawson and Quincy because they were playing my first few years of high school,” said Robinson. “My freshman year, Quincy was a senior, and my sophomore year, Lawson was as senior. They know what they are doing and talking about, and I am so excited they are still a part of this program.”
