By Kyle Roberts
At long last: football season approaches.
And for the Ruston High Bearcats, it’s time for the 2023 team to turn the page on last year’s title game run and embrace a new year starting tonight with the 4-A Warren Easton Fighting Eagles coming to The Hoss.
“They’re a really good football team,” Ruston High head football coach Jerrod Baugh said. “They have a rich tradition. I’ve watched them play; they’ve had some battles with Neville in the playoffs, so we’re very aware of what they’ve done year in and year out. This year is not different from those.
“They’ve got big guys on the offensive line and a really good running back. The quarterback can get the ball to playmakers at receiver. They’re really good in the secondary and good up front on the defensive line. We have our work cut out for us.”
The Bearcats’ offseason has been productive, which has included a pair of scrimmage shut outs; first against Byrd on Thursday, Aug. 17, and then at West Monroe for the 2023 Bayou Jamb last Friday.
“Shutouts or not, I think our defense is taking a lot of pride in,” Baugh said. “I thought they’ve played very well. We’ve talked all summer long that we’re going to need our defense to play well because they’ve got the most experience on the football field, and it will give the guys that don’t have as much experience the opportunity to get that.
“We’re not trying to put too much pressure on (the defense), but again, they’re the ones with the most experience, and we need them to play well early on.”
Warren Easton comes to Ruston following offseason recruiting violations by some of their assistant coaches, meaning the Fighting Eagles will not be eligible for the 2023 postseason.
There was concern that in regards to power points, which sets the seeding for the playoffs in Louisiana, that the Fighting Eagles’ points may not count toward its opponents. Baugh, however, texted confirmation Wednesday night that Ruston will receive power points for playing Warren Easton.
Ruston’s lone blemish during the 2022 regular season came in a week one defeat at home to the Fighting Eagles. The loss would spur a 12-game winning streak which included a District 2-5A outright championship after defeating West Monroe and an appearance in the state championship game.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and can be streamed live on BearcatNationNetwork.com or on Z107.5 FM. The Jerrod Baugh coach’s show will start at 6:30 p.m.
