Bearcats focus on execution
Leader file photo
Ruston High School’s Deontre Griffin (2) and the rest of the Bearcats will open the 2019 playoffs at 7 p.m. today with a road game at Dutchtown High School in Geismar.
One team is called the Bearcats, the other the Griffins.
Two very different mascots. But two very similar football teams.
Ruston High School, the No. 20 seed in the Class 5A football playoffs, will kick off postseason play at 7 p.m. today at No. 13 Dutchtown.
Expect this one to feature a lot of running from both teams.
The Bearcats will feature the dual rushing attack of juniors Ke’Travion Hargrove and Deontre Griffin, who have pair to provide a bulk of the Bearcats’ offense this season.
Ruston’s defense will have to try and contain sophomore Dutchtown running back Dylan Sampson, who has rushed for 1,569 yards and 21 touchdowns with an average of 12.25 yards per carry.
Sampson has scored 134 points for the Griffins.
Ruston head coach Jerrod Baugh is trying to keep his Bearcats focused on their primary goal — not beating themselves.
“It’s the little things that count against good football teams,” Baugh said. “And anytime you’re in the playoffs you’re facing a good team. The difference in a number of wins and losses for us this season has been the little things. We can’t make the kinds of mistakes they cause us to beat ourselves. We can’t commit penalties, especially ones that cost us at critical times.
“We have to execute. That’s what it boils down to. We have a good football team. We just have to focus mentally and play the way we need to and are capable of, and all the other things will take care of themselves.”
