By T. Scott Boatright
Cedar Creek quarterback Brett Bell ran for three scores and passed for another as Cedar Cedar stormed past Lakeview 64-6 at Origin Bank Field.
The win pushed the Cougars out to a 2-0 start after last week’s 19-14 win over Delhi Charter as they matched their 2024 victory total.
Cedar Creek dominated from start to finish, outgaining the Gators 414-110 yards of total offense and 36:10 – 11:50 in time of possession.
“Every single game we treat it like a big game, so every single win we get is big,” Angevine said. “Last week we had that street fight and tonight was a test to see how we would manage that success. Were we going to come out on Cloud 9 or were we going to come back down to reality and focus on the task at hand?
“And so, I think we did a pretty good job. I’m proud of the guys and I told them that. I also told us this game is in the past and now we start focusing on next week.”
Cedar Creek didn’t waste any time taking control as their primary offensive weapon — running back Hayden Durrett — rushed for 52 yards on four carries on a 55 yard opening drive that culminated with Durrett dragging an attempted tackler into the end zone on a one-yard scoring scamper that put the Cougars on top 7-0 only 2:14 into the contest.
The onslaught was only beginning.
After holding the Gators to a three-and-out series on the ensuing possession, the Cougars went back to it.
And that meant letting Durrett pound away at the Lakeview defensive line.
But on a first-and-goal at the Lakeview 2-yard, Durrett rushed for two yards to the Gators’ 1-yard line but jumped up hobbled as he limped toward the sideline.
That would be his play for the night as he finished with 73 yards on nine carries.
Peyton Harris took the ball the final yard up the middle on the next play to put the Cougars on top 14-0 with 3:13 left in the opening stanza.
Even though Durrett and Harris have different running styles, Angevine said his starter’s injury didn’t change the Cougars’ offensive game plan.
“We keep chugging along and depend on our offensive and defensive lines,” Angevine said. “So, like I said, it’s just the next man up, enter the next piece of the puzzle and get back to work.”
The Cougars scored again on their next possession as Bell threw his lone pass on the night, a 17-yard scoring strike Bell lofted to a wide-open Bryce Martin, who stopped and turned around to face Bell and watched the ball float down into his hands.
Lakeview scored its lone touchdown on a 23-yard slant play that cut Cedar Creek’s lead to 21-6.
Cedar Creek scored again 2:02 into the second quarter on a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Bell before pushing the lead to 36-6 with 5:50 left in the first half on another 1-yard plunge to paydirt by Harris.
Bell had trouble handling the ensuing PAT snap but simply stood up and raced to the right corner pylon for the two-point conversion.
Two plays later Cedar Creek’s Case Phillips added to the Cougars’ lead with a 53-yard pick six interception that pushed the score to 43-6.
“Defensively they all played great,” Angevine said. “They’re swarming to the football. That’s got to be our identity. We’ve got to swarm to the football with reckless abandonment. Tonight, they stepped up and did a great job.”
The Cougars made it 50-6 at halftime as Bell scored on a 14-yard quarterback keeper on the final play of the first half that started a running clock for the final two quarters.
Bell scored again as he raced 30-yards down the right sideline for his third touchdown with 5:45 left in the third quarter before Luke Ensley scored on an 11-yard run, dragging three Gators trying to take him down before falling backwards into the end zone.
“Bell stepped up, but our mindset has to be the next guy up,” Angevine said. “Hopefully, we get Hayden back next week. He’s a big part of our offense. He’s a big part of our team. He’s a leader. And so, we’ve got to lean on him, but if he’s going to be out, the next up player must step up and take his place.”
Angevine said he was pleased to get his younger players like Ensley into action late in the contest.
“That’s big time,” Angevine said. “Anytime you can get your young guys in on Friday night action makes all the difference in the world. Getting those guys in, trying to get everybody in during those last minutes, that’s big. They need to experience those Friday night reps.”
Next up for Cedar Creek is a road contest next week at Shreveport’s Loyola College Prep, which also stands at 2-0 after winning 47-12 at Logansport Friday night.
