Cason commands the Cougars

Age is just a number when you watch Cason Floyd leave the huddle for the Cedar Creek Cougars.

He may be playing as a 15-year-old freshman, recently named the starting quarterback for the Cougars less than two weeks into fall camp, but Floyd’s call and operational understanding at the line of scrimmage is far from novice.

Whether it’s directing players to properly shift pre-snap, delivering firm handoffs, tosses, or tight downfield passes, Floyd has shown early ability to lead Creek in fall camp that even has head coach William Parkerson shocked.

“He’s been a pleasant surprise,” Parkerson said of Floyd. “His leadership, his command are far beyond what I expected as a freshman. If he keeps the same attitude and same work ethic, the sky’s the limit for him.”

Floyd has never taken a varsity snap at quarterback, having started under center for Creek’s junior high team the last two years. But that experience can only help the young Cougar signal-caller take off.

“They run a scaled-down version of the offense, but it’s the same words, same calls,” Parkerson said. “It was an easy transition for him as far as that standpoint.”

And with 2023 starting quarterback Ladd Thompson graduated, there’s no hiding this is Floyd’s show to run on the field, and he’s called to get his teammates to buy in for the 2024 season.

The latter has already started according to Parkerson, who at first wondered if a freshman would truly be able to lead a team that’s built with veteran offensive lineman. So far in camp, the question has been answered.

He got a perfect example Wednesday evening with practice going longer after the coaching staff reprimanded the team for lackluster execution — sending the Cougars into the locker room for a brief break to refocus, rally, and come back out ready to finish the evening strong.

Floyd was the first one back onto the field.

“Honestly, that was my biggest concern going in. I thought all summer he’d be the guy. But that was my concern was how could he step in the huddle as a younger guy,” Parkerson said. “We got four of the five offensive lines back from last year. How are they going to look at him and respect him? And he’s earned it. You can tell they look at him and believe in him.

“We got good days. We got bad days. We gotta find consistency. We’re getting effort and getting after it. We’re just not executing right now. It’s early, and we just gotta stay at it and get better every day.”

Cedar Creek will host its annual Meet the Cougars Night tonight at 7 at Cougar Field, featuring an unveiling of a new video board before a varsity intrasquad scrimmage.

In the scrimmage, Parkerson wants to see unproven players step up.

“There are a couple other young guys we’re hoping step up. I’d love to see how they’re going to step up and be physical,” Parkerson said. “Are they going to bring the intensity? I know on our offensive line Bryce Martin is going fire off the ball and try to rock you. Are they going to step up and fight and compete, or is he going to dominate them? If they can stalemate him, they’re projecting to be able to play with us.”

The Cougars will head into next week preparing for a scrimmage against Lakeside on Aug. 23.