By Malcolm Butler
Seven days after meeting in the regular-season finale, Cedar Creek and Lincoln Prep will square off again Friday night with considerably more on the line.
The ninth-seeded Cougars (9-1) will host the 24th-seeded Panthers (3-7) at 7 p.m. at Cougar Stadium in the opening round of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Select Division IV playoffs.
Cedar Creek defeated Lincoln Prep 49-14 last Friday night, rushing for 301 yards and overcoming a slow start to earn its ninth victory of the season. However, Cougars head coach Jacob Angevine knows last week’s result means little when the two Lincoln Parish programs meet with their seasons on the line.
“The biggest thing for us, we came out and we had a really slow start,” Angevine said. “I think it was pretty evident in practice that week that the team still had a little bit of a hangover, experiencing their first loss of the season and having such a hard-fought game with Haynesville.
“We fully expected to win that ballgame, and then it just didn’t come out in our favor. You could definitely tell there was a little bit of a hangover going into practice that week. I’m glad we shook it when we started the second quarter because that’s when all of our scoring started.”
The Cougars suffered their lone loss of the season two weeks ago, falling 29-20 at Haynesville in a game that ultimately decided the District 1-1A championship.
Cedar Creek responded with a convincing win over Lincoln Prep, although the Panthers had their opportunities early. Lincoln Prep drove into Cedar Creek territory on its opening possession before a fumble ended the threat.
The Cougars capitalized on the turnover, driving 59 yards for a touchdown and eventually taking control of the contest behind their potent rushing attack.
Angevine said his focus this week has been on making sure his team doesn’t take anything for granted, particularly against an opponent that is familiar with the Cougars.
“That’s been the biggest thing and the biggest challenge that I’ve had for them all week is finding energy in doing the most minuscule things,” Angevine said. “We want to be perfect throughout the playoffs, and those little things that we typically just go through the motions of, we need to be perfect in.
“Just fixing the little things and seeing what things we could have done better last week because we didn’t play a perfect game. Just working on the little things, finding energy in every small facet of the game, of practice, everything else, and taking advantage of them early.”
Angevine reminded his players following Wednesday’s practice that there are no guarantees of another opportunity to put on the pads.
“I told them going into the Haynesville game, ‘Y’all have a playoff-like atmosphere right here, but the beauty of it is you get to have a Week 10 ballgame at home,’” Angevine said. “I said, ‘Now, you don’t have that guaranteed next week. You have to win in order to play another game next week.’
“We had a lot of energy on Monday and Tuesday, and Wednesday we were just kind of going through the motions. I challenged the kids. I said, ‘Look, if that was your last practice of the year, were you satisfied with how it ended?’ I think all of them were kind of like, ‘No, we need to step it up.’”
Friday night represents another milestone in what has been a resurgent season for the Cedar Creek football program.
The Cougars will host their first playoff game since 2022 and earned their first top-10 playoff seed since 2019. A victory over the Panthers would give Cedar Creek its first 10-win season since 2017.
“I think we’re going to have a good Friday night, and our kids are excited playing at home,” Angevine said. “Lots of things on the line for us for pride, but obviously, too, just being in the playoffs and trying to get to that next week.”
For Lincoln Prep and head coach Chaunce Davison, Friday night offers an opportunity to erase some of the disappointment of the regular season. Despite entering the playoffs with just three victories, the Panthers possess the athleticism and explosive playmakers to create problems for opposing defenses.
Lincoln Prep totaled 274 yards of offense in last week’s loss, with both of its touchdowns coming on big plays. Angevine said eliminating those explosive plays will be critical to the Cougars’ success in the rematch.
“Just limiting the big plays,” Angevine said. “That’s how they got away from us on their two touchdowns they scored. Just two big plays, making mental mistakes. We need to get them back in the huddle and control the football and jump on them early and often. I think we’ll come out with a win.”
The winner will travel to Baton Rouge next Friday to face eighth-seeded and undefeated Southern Lab in the second round of the Select Division IV playoffs.
