Tim Smith
Vince Lombardi famously said, “Winning isn’t everything; it is the ONLY thing.”
He was wrong. Life, if you live long enough, will beat you down if all you want to do is win.
Winning is nice! And for the 2026 version of the Cedar Creek Cougars, being 3-0 has to feel really nice. I spoke with several of the Cougar players after their 42-12 beatdown of Beekman Charter on homecoming night 2026, and what I heard was not exactly what I expected. Sure, they were excited about the win, they were obviously proud of their performance, and I could easily just let it be about winning.
Except, it isn’t just about winning. It is about joy.
A win can make you happy; that is based on circumstances. Joy comes from loving what you are doing, regardless of the circumstances. I’m old. I know that you can be winning and still be miserable, but these kids are having fun. These kids have found joy in football.
“It’s amazing. No feeling like it,” said a smiling Hayden Durrett as we talked about his return to playing after missing much of last year due to injury. “It was so much fun.” The senior linebacker has embraced his new defensive role with enthusiasm. Durrett was a talented ball carrier until knee injuries sidelined him last year. He now plays from the slot position and as a receiver on offense. “I love blocking for Brett and Payton. … I am having a great time!” Hayden took a reverse handoff into the corner of the end zone for a two-point conversion in the second quarter.
“It’s almost like nobody cares what the score is, what play it is. We are all just running fast and hard and dangerous,” continued Durrett. “It’s so much fun. I get nervous before the games, not about injury, but about the game. But then, as soon as the first play starts, I’m good. I’m in a flow state, and I feel great!”
Hayden is joined on the field this year by his younger brother Liam. “We build off of each other, and we might not always do that at home. We bicker a good bit, but on the field we are all brothers.”
Senior quarterback Brett Bell is also having a great time. Playing with intensity and confidence, he has become a true leader for the team. “Confidence comes from preparation, and we do a good job of that. Coach Ange (Angevine) did a great job.”
“Every time I go out there, I know we are going to score because our O-line pushes hard every play, our receivers block every play,” Bell said, responding about the confidence he has in his team and coaches. Bell has found joy in more than winning games; it is also in the preparation, the hard work and even the responsibility of being a leader.
In the fourth quarter, a Beekman Tiger running back started through the A-gap but ran into a stone wall that was senior Kaden Williams. The wall didn’t even wiggle, and the Tiger bounced backward and landed harmlessly for no gain. Just an example of the strength and intimidating size that Williams brings to the Cougar defense and offensive line.
“I love this team so much,” said a smiling Williams. “Everybody supports everybody. It isn’t just one person.”
Williams has improved and grown, not just in size, but in ability. I see him moving defensive players down the field like maybe I haven’t seen since Caden Lillo and, of course, K J Malone.
“I have to give all the praise to my coaches, and I thank God,” said Williams.
On what would be the last play of the game, Trigger Woodard, still playing all out, annihilated a potential Tiger blocker, giving him something to remember.
“I love it. What goes through my mind is: never give up,” said Woodard. “Because I play both sides of the ball, I know I can never go off the field. I play 100% all night long.”
Trigger plays linebacker but also plays offense in several roles, blocking and carrying the ball on occasion. He also enjoys sharing the field with his younger brother, Weapon X. Well, actually, his name is Campbell, but Weapon X, per Coach Angevine.
Trigger Woodard said having his brother on the field with him is “awesome.”
“Not everybody gets to do that. We get along too.”
Campbell Woodard said, “That’s hard. I don’t try,” when asked if he competes with his older brother. “He’s bigger than me … but I’m more athletic,” laughed Campbell as he got a shove from his brother.
It didn’t rain Friday night, but lightning still ruined the evening for the Beekman Charter Tigers.
We may have to start measuring his rushing in mileage, rather than in yards, just to save room and time. Sophomore running back Payton Harris ended his homecoming game with 294 yards and three touchdowns.
Angevine’s “lightning in a bottle” is not staying in the bottle.
“Get to the end zone, find the open space, help my team score, move the ball,” was Payton’s response to what goes through his mind when he takes the ball. That is about as simple and genuine as I have ever heard it. “It’s fun.”
Fun?
Football is serious business in Louisiana; it’s that Lombardi thing. But I have a question for you to consider. Are these kids joyful because they are winning, or are they winning because they have found the joy in playing football?
“You know the biggest thing I told the kids when I got hired? I want that better meaning of CCs, something that is contagious, something that’s consistent. And if we can consistently put that product on the field, everyone wants to be a part of it,” Coach Angevine said.
“That’s why they are having a great time.”
Football is a game. The players are our children. Sorry for being so profound, but maybe we need a reminder. If we love them, then the joy of playing should be the main thing.
If we keep the main thing the main thing, winning will take care of itself.
