Running with the Cougars: Cedar Creek back to prove dominance

RUSTON, La. ( KTVE/KARD ) — Last season was a down year for the Cedar Creek Cougars.

A 4-6 record that saw them ousted in the first round of the state playoffs.

But this is a team that knows–that’s not them.

Heading into the 2024 season–the Cougars are playing with a grudge and it has shown all offseason–this is a team ready to reach their full potential.

“If they will embrace competing, I told them the last period of defensive period of practice was the best period of practice since I’ve been back and if we can learn to compete like that and practice like that on a consistent basis, the sky is the limit,” Parkerson said.

“Upmost importance,” said Hall. “It all comes down to mentality. We break each other down every day so whenever we get onto the field, we can’t be broken down by anybody else.”

“It helps out getting these reps in practice,” said Myers. “When it comes to Friday nights, it comes easier.”

Compete–Compete–Compete.

That has been the mantra for the Cedar Creek Cougars all offseason long.

Head Coach William Parkerson says this team has bought in to proving to themselves just how dominant they can be, and he says they have done all the little things right–both on and off the field–put them on the right track.

“These guys have been a pleasure to be around all summer and the start of fall camp,” said Parkerson. “They work hard, they love one another, they will fight for each other. As long as we get a little better each day, we will see how good we are at the end of the year. Through the month of July, you saw them really start focusing on the little things, even things that aren’t in the weight room or on the football field. Making the sure the weight room is perfectly clean every day, making sure their lockers were sharp. As those little things got better, the big things out here kept getting better.”

But doing the little things comes easy with a great group of leaders–and that is what the Cougars possess.

“We’ve implored the older guys to help us coach,” Parkerson said. “It’s a beautiful thing to look up in an individual drill and you see a young guy mess up on a rep and a junior or senior grabs them and shows them the proper footwork or tell them exactly what they should have done. It helps us out as coaches that we have some older guys that can help us coach a little bit.”

“Obviously, I’ve been asked to step into a bigger position as a leader and I am trying my best and just trying to build the team up, encourage them while also coaching them up,” Myers said.

Parkerson and company will rely on a fast–physical defense to set the tone for games.

That starts with having the right mentality.

“Aggression is key,” Hall said. “Absolutely. We want to make sure that we win on the line and in the backfield every single play.”

“Number one, we are telling them we need to play with a maniacal effort, an effort unknown to mankind,” Parkerson said. “We are going to be an aggressive 3-3-5 defense with a lot of blitzes and a lot of stunts and we just have to have 11 guys playing with that maniacal effort, just flying to the football.”

In a defense like this–you need playmakers, and the Cougars will have plenty.

“James Myers, obviously at free safety and then Blake Robinson, Trigger Woodard and Mason Wooden at our three linebackers. If those four guys, in the defense we are running, we need those four guys to be the best playmakers we have,” Parkerson said. “Bryce Martin who will be our defensive end and also plays offensive guard. Those five guys are really standing out.”

Offensively–Cedar Creek will look to wear out their opponents with a heavy dose of hard-nosed–on the ground football.

“We are just trying to slowly break the defense down,” Myers said. “Once we do that, the big plays will happen naturally.”

The offense will feature guys like 1st Team All-District WR James Myers, sophomore standout Wyatt Grimillion and newcomer Mason Wooden–all who bring a spark when they are on the field.

But Parkerson says as talented as their skill group is–the still may not be the best unit on the field.

“I think our offensive line has a chance to be our best unit on the team,” Parkerson said. “Four of the five starters from last year return. If they can dominate the line of scrimmage, especially in the offense we run, big things can happen.”

“It’s so easy to trust in James, trust in Wyatt and trust in all these other amazing athletes to take the ball where the slow kids can’t get it,” Hall said. “It’s a relief for sure.”

It is a group who has maybe the most collective experience–but more importantly–a group who takes pride in what they do.

“The offensive linemen are the most unselfish players on the football team,” Parkerson said. “After a win, you never see a group of guys more excited. After a loss, you never see a group of guys who take it more personal. If our whole team can take on an offensive linemen’s personality, great things can happen.”

The Cougars are just weeks away from kickoff and they know now–it’s really time to get down to business.

“We have to lock in,” Hall said. “Whenever it’s game time, it’s game time. Until then, we’re working hard. We’re working fast. But whenever the clock starts will be ready for war.”