by Malcolm Butler
Two teams fighting for playoff spots and ultimately seeding will face off tonight in District 1-1A action when Cedar Creek travels to face Arcadia.
Kickoff is slated 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 game.
The Cougars (5-3, 3-1) and Hornets (3-5, 2-2) are both currently sitting No. 20 in their respective Divisions in the power ratings. Creek is No. 20 in Select School Division IV while Arcadia is No. 20 in Non-Select School Division IV.
Cedar Creek head coach Jacob Angevine said that although the focus is on tonight’s game against the Hornets, the postseason is in the back of the coaches and players minds.
“We don’t typically talk to the players about seeding at this point,” said Angevine. “But with these seniors our goal was to play in Week 11. That was our team goal for the year. We wanted to get back to the playoffs. These seniors want to start a new streak.
“We control our own destiny at this point. That was the message last week going into the (Lincoln Prep) game. We just need to take it a week at a time, let the chips fall where they may, and see if we can get a home playoff game.”
Cedar Creek is coming off a 65-32 win over Lincoln Prep last weekend and with two road wins in their final two games (the Cougars are at Jonesboro-Hodge next week), Angevine feels the program could be at home for the first round.
“I think we are locked in to make the playoffs, but I think if we win these last two we could host a first round playoff game,” said Angevine.
However, Creek must do something down the stretch that they haven’t been able to accomplish so far this year: win on the road. The Cougars are 0-2, although the two losses have come against Haynesville and Loyola Prep, a pair of undefeated teams.
Tonight, Angevine is most concerned about the Hornets athleticism.
“Arcadia doesn’t have a whole lot of numbers,” said Angevine. “But the numbers they do have they are pretty dang good. Their quarterback is their best player. He is a big, tall kid. He is one of the more athletic players in our district.
“They have two running backs that can absolutely fly. They can really go. They are a run heavy team, but lately, they have shown on film that they love to throw it around. They have the athletes to do so.”
In three of it’s last four games, Creek has surrendered at least 32 points in games against Delta Charter, Haynesville and Lincoln Prep. Thus, the Cougars must be better on that side of the ball tonight.
“We just have to keep their quarterback in the pocket and try to put pressure on them,” said Angevine. “The trenches has been our identity all year, on both sides of the ball. We have a good game plan heading into (tonight).”
Offensively, the Cougars have been rolling behind a ground attack led by Brett Bell, Trigger Woodard, and Payton Harris. The trio combined to rush for 457 yards and eight TDs in last week’s victory over the Panthers.
“Defensively, (Arcadia) has two standup ends,” said Angevine. “They are either going to drop back into coverage or they are going to rush the passer and play the run.”
With a win tonight, Cedar Creek would assure itself of a winning season.
