Cougars overwhelm Delhi 52-6
Photo by Darrell James Cedar Creek quarterback Caden Middleton threw two touchdown passes and rushed for three more scores as the Cougars rolled over Delhi 52-6 Friday night.
There’s no other way to put it.
From start to finish, the Cedar Creek Cougars took it to the Delhi Bears on a night when history was in the air, winning 52-6 to improve to 2-2 on the season.
It was the Cougars’ second straight impressive home win after beginning the season with two road losses.
“I couldn’t ask for anything more than that,” Cedar Creek head coach Matt Middleton said postgame. “What a blessing to be able to get there.”
The Cougars got the night started with Caden Middleton completing a 21-yard touchdown to Brian Osborne to make it 7- 0. That’s what the Cougars would need to come out with their second-straight victory, but they were far from done.
The next four scores for Cedar Creek came on the ground, but not the longdistance runs the Cougars had against Winnfield a week ago. Caden Middleton had two rushing scores from one yard out and one from two yards out, with Austin Webb rounding out the first half touchdowns with a 6-yard scamper of his own.
“ We’re in a routine,” Matt Middleton said. “It’s great to be at home.”
After Caden Middleton’s third rushing score, Delhi players got into scuffles with Cedar Creek players, including running into eighth-grade kicker Davis Long.
The Cougars benefited from the undisciplined Bears and kicked off from their own 25- yard line to the Bears. Yes, Cedar Creek had a kickoff from their own 25.
To the shock of no one, the kick sailed out of bounds into the track behind the goalpost.
Caden Middleton ended the night 15-of-23 for 168 yards and 2 touchdown passes, along with his 3 rushing scores.
The Cougars led 45-6 at half and never relented and got the ball plenty of chances after the barrage of scores thanks to bad quarterback play from Delhi.
The Bears threw 6 interceptions as a team on Friday, giving Cedar Creek chance after chance to run up the score.
“ Six interceptions in a game? That’s unbelievable,” Middleton said.
The defense had the spotlight shined on it more than those 6 occasions, as all eyes, and some reporters’ pens, fixated on senior linebacker Quincy Lewis.
Lewis came into the night needing 7 tackles to become Cedar Creek’s alltime leading tackler.
Mission accomplished. Midway through the third quarter, Lewis wrapped up a Delhi runner for history, giving him 316 career tackles in a Cougar uniform. He passes Christian Marcus (315) and Carson Riley (311).
But in typical fashion for the soft-spoken linebacker, Lewis went in and played right guard on the offensive line after he broke the record.
No celebration. No poses for pictures afterwards.
He wanted to finish the game out wherever he was asked to play.
“I’m glad I did it but then I played right guard and that’s what I had to do,” Lewis said. “It’s one of those things you try not to think about it but you’re naturally like, ‘Man, I need six (tackles). But I’m glad it happened. I’m glad I don’t have to think about it anymore for sure.”
Middleton smiled and shook his head as he was asked about Lewis’ play Friday night, saying he’s just an old school player who loves making plays.
Lewis finished with 8 tackles, putting him at 317 in his career.
Friday night was just another chapter in his legacy.
“Can’t ask for a better dude,” Middleton said. “It’s special. It’s a big deal and I’m happy for him.”
Cedar Creek continues its home stand next Friday against Tensas and will attempt to stretch the winning streak to three.
