Cougars searching for a victory

Cedar Creek ( 0- 4, 0- 1) travels into the eye of the storm — Delta Charter’s to be exact — on Thursday in a break from district competition with hopes of finally getting in the win column.

Even before this week’s matchup with Delta Charter ( 2- 1), the Cougars have been hit with plenty of the turbulence that comes with such a young roster. Whether it’s been untimely turnovers, near wins that can’t be completed, blowouts, and everything in between, the flashes of encouraging signs have no wins to show for it as of now.

Through four games, Creek has two offensive touchdowns and 12 turnovers, while its defense has produced 12 takeaways and three scores of its own — all scoop and scores off fumble recoveries — but has also allowed 7.1 yards per rush.

The inconsistencies have kept Creek from finishing the job this year, and it’s why the preparation message is the same this week for head coach William Parkerson. If Creek wants to defeat Delta Charter, it all comes down to the Cougars’ own execution.

“I thought, again in a losing effort, we played the best we’ve played all year,” Parkerson said of last week’s 36-16 loss to Glenbrook. “We had a chance to extend the lead early, and if that happens it’s a whole new ball game. It’s those one or two breaks that don’t seem to go our way. We’ve got to start creating those breaks for ourselves.

“ We’re putting together some good drives between the 20 (yard lines) but then we get penalties at the wrong time. We just gotta find a way,” he added. “The closer you get to the endzone, the tougher it is to score with the field getting condensed. We just gotta stick with it and grind it out.”

Cedar Creek looked to be in control of its district opener last week at Glenbrook, taking an early 10-0 lead after a fumble return touchdown, two-point conversion, and special teams safety.

But as the night went on, Glenbrook took advantage of Creek’s mistakes and pulled ahead 18-10 in the second quarter and never looked back, outgaining the Cougars 276-176 on the night.

In the loss, Creek’s defense managed two more takeaways — the scoop and score by Noah Smith and an interception by Hayden Durrett — giving them a takeaway in each game this year.

Parkerson attributes the defense’s ability to take the ball away to players taking offseason messaging to heart. The Cougars came into this season knowing they had to outwork the other team and hit harder and play through the whistle.

Four games in, the defense has bought into that mindset and then some.

“We talked about how we want to create havoc, and we stress getting in the backfield and creating takeaways, so that’s been encouraging to see,” Parkerson said.

Besides Durrett and Smith’s takeaways against Glenbrook, Creek’s defensive standouts included senior Mason Wooden (10 tackles), junior Blake Robinson (7 tackles, 1 tackles for loss, 1 sack), and senior Bryce Martin (10 tackles, 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss).

“Bryce has got a motor that never quits. He plays offensive line and defensive line. He never asks for a break,” Parkerson said. “ He goes out there and plays with everything he’s got. Hopefully we’ll get more of that, and guys will want to play up to his level.”

The defense will need to perform at a high level once again this week against a Delta Charter team ready to run the ball. The Storm defeated LaSalle 36-6 and Vidalia 18-8 but lost two weeks ago 32-14 to crosstown Ferriday High.

“Their quarterback and running back are both really good runners. Offensive line is good. They have some good schemes,” Parkerson said. “Defensively, everything starts with their nose tackle. He’s their best player and he creates opportunities for others. We’ll have to be ready.”