by Malcolm Butler
Payton Harris rushed for a career-high 203 yards and Brett Bell added another 100-yard rushing performance as the Cedar Creek Cougars dismantled Arcadia 46-8 Friday night in District 1-1A action.
The Cougars (6-3, 4-1) secured a winning season and most likely a playoff spot with the win, spoiling Homecoming festivities for the Hornets (3-6, 2-3).
Cedar Creek scored touchdowns on six of its eight possessions and converted five of the six two-point conversions. The Cougars rushed for 342 yards on the night.
“Our offensive line played great once again,” said head coach Jacob Angevine. “They really opened up holes for our guys. It just feels like anyone can (run) for 100 yards on any given night the way the offensive line is playing.”
Harris carried the ball just just 11 times for 203 yards and two touchdowns, scoring on runs of 55 and 69 yards. Bell added 103 yards rushing on just six totes with three TDs, scoring on runs of 19, 25 and 45 yards.
“Brett played awesome tonight, making some great reads,” said Angevine. “And Payton showed the ability to make people miss. He showed patience and made good cuts in the open field. He made guys miss on the next level and picked up a ton of yards after contact, just throwing guys off of him. He may have gotten jealous that Brett rushed for 200 yards last week and decided he was going to do it tonight.”
Trigger Woodard gave the Cougars the early lead, capping a six-play, 28-yard drive with a two-yard TD run less than three minutes into the contest. Harris added the two point conversion to the 8-0 lead.
The Cougars added a pair of second quarter scores on a 69-yard Harris run and a 25-yard Bell scamper, opening up a 22-0 halftime lead. Bell’s 45-yard TD run in the third quarter upped the lead to 30-0.
Arcadia scored its lone touchdown of the night on a 19-yard TD run. However, it was the only score on night that saw the Cougars defense hold the Hornets to 226 total yards.
“The best part of our defense is how they swarm to the football,” said Angevine. “We preach it day in and day out. Even if someone blows an assignment, we have 10 other guys and we have to run to the football. That can make up for a lot of mistakes.
“Arcadia’s quarterback is a great player, and has the ability to get out of tackles. We did a good job of swallowing him up tonight. We did a really good job.”
Micah Taylor and Bryce Martin led Creek defensively with eight tackles each, while Harris and Blake Robinson each totaled seven tackles. Taylor added his seventh interception of the season, one away from tying the single season record.
Creek will wrap up its regular season next week at Jonesboro Hodge.
