Cedar Creek, J-Hodge kick off night one of Bayou Jamb
Cedar Creek senior Lawson Lillo runs down the sideline in a scrimmage against Lakeside last Friday. The Cougars will play Mangham while Jonesboro-Hodge plays St. Frederick in the first night of the 2023 Bayou Jamb tonight. Photo by Darrell James
With hopes of beating the heat as best they can, the Cedar Creek Cougars and Jonesboro-Hodge Tigers match up with some of the top teams in the region tonight in the opening slate at the 2023 Bayou Jamb.
J-Hodge takes on St. Frederick at 6 p.m. while the Cougars face Mangham at 8 p.m. to close the night at Rebel Stadium at West Monroe High School.
Both games were originally scheduled for Saturday in the early afternoon, but with temperatures projected to reach over 100 degrees, Bayou Jamb officials moved the contests.
Both head coaches appreciated the schedule adjustment and are looking forward to seeing how their young squads fare against competitive opponents.
Cedar Creek head coach William Parkerson will treat the Bayou Jamb like the Cougars’ scrimmage at Lakeside last Friday, focusing on his team’s effort and intensity above all else.
“Do what we do and try to get better at our fundamentals and skills,” Parkerson said. “ Buckle up and get ready for a fist fight. I’m all for it. Let’s get a challenge and see where we are. We want to be a physical football team, so let’s play a physical football team and see how we stack up with it.”
Last season, the Mangham Dragons went 10-2 overall and lost in the Division IV Non-select semifinals to Homer. Mangham has also played in the state championship game three times within the last decade.
Creek got its first measuring stick in the scrimmage against Lakeside, with the Cougars’ defense looking strong by not allowing a single scoring drive from the Warriors on the night, including interceptions from James Myers and Ryan Coleman.
Parkerson expects a similar intensity out of his team tonight, but the offense may be down another projected starter after starting center Brett Johnson went down early in the scrimmage with Lakeside.
Parkerson had no update on Johnson’s status when asked at Media Day on Tuesday.
“He’s getting an MRI. We’ll know more then,” Parkerson said.
Over with Jonesboro- Hodge, the rebuilding Tigers matc up with one of Creek’s district rivals in St. Frederick.
Like J- Hodge, St. Fred is two years removed from a state semifinal appearance and expects to be a possible contender by season’s end. The Warriors went 7- 3 last season and made the Division IV Select playoffs and return multiple playmakers.
All-state wide receiver/ defensive back William Patrick, along with Kaden Miller and Montrell Conner Jr., give the Warriors plenty of speed to challenge any defense.
J-Hodge head coach Terrance Blankenship is well aware of St. Fred’s skill, having played the Warriors in the Bayou Jamb three of the last four years.
“You know with Coach (Andy) Robinson and St. Fred, he’s going to have those guys prepared well and it’s always a challenge because I think this is our third or fourth time playing them,” Blankenship said. “Hopefully we can go out there and execute some things better than we did in the scrimmage on Friday.”
Both teams will get the season started with games that count next Friday — Creek at home against Glenbrook Academy, while the Tigers host General Trass the same night.
