by Malcolm Butler
It’s been more than a calendar year since Cedar Creek won a home game.
It’s a cold hard fact not lost on first year head coach Jacob Angevine, who will be pacing the Cougars sideline as the head man for the first time in his young coaching career.
But it’s a new season, a new team, and a new era around Origin Bank Stadium as Cedar Creek will try to avenge last year’s 40-0 loss to the Gators.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and the game can be heard on 99.3 FM with Ray Creasy and Ben Haddox providing a call of the action.
Although Angevine, who has worked at Cedar Creek since 2015, will be focused on the big picture tonight — trying to guide his team to a win — he did admit he may take a moment prior to kickoff to take a deep breath and take his new role all in.
“This has been my home really since I got into college,” said Angevine. “I got here in 2015 and was a volunteer middle school coach. I’ve watched a lot of these guys grow up from that pee wee system that are now juniors and seniors … it’s a pretty surreal moment.
“It will be in the back of my mind. It’s a really cool experience, and I’m blessed. I really am.”
The Cougars used a 75-minute walk through Thursday to prepare for tonight’s opener after playing a scrimmage at Lakeside two weeks ago and a jamboree against D’Arbonne Woods last Saturday. And although the Cougars came up on the short end, Angevine said he feels like his team has taken steps this week and is in a good place entering tonight.
“We have definitely taken some steps in the right direction this week,” said Angevine. “At Lakeside, we were really excited about getting to hit somebody in a different color jersey. The D’Arbonne Woods (jamboree), I think we took a step back for whatever reason.
“But this week knowing we are at home and knowing there is some excitement surrounding the program, we have taken some steps in the right direction. I expect a great showing from our kids.”
After missing the playoffs last year following a 1-9 season, Angevine said the focus this week has been all about the green and gold.
“All week (the message) has been it’s all about us,” said Angevine.
Delhi Charter posted a 6-5 mark last year, a season that included a 56-36 loss to St Martin’s Episcopal in the LHSAA playoffs.
“Offensively, they have switched to a more modern-style,” said Angevine. “They are going out of the gun. They have a sniffer back there that they follow a good bit. It’s different than that split-back veer that they ran last year.
“They are still fast and they are still athletic. They still have big dudes in the trenches. Coach Ridgeway does a really good job of getting his guys ready.
“Defensively, they will fly around. Same defense they had last year. I think our scheme will be better for us (against them), just being able to spread guys out. We were limited last year. Having a passing game this year is going to help transform our offense a bunch.
“It will be a dog fight.”
