Red zone inefficiency proves costly for Cougars in loss to Delta Charter

Cedar Creek scored a season high 20 points but it wasn’t enough Thursday evening as the Cougars dropped to 0-5 overall in a 38-20 loss on the road at Delta Charter in Ferriday.

The Cougars set the tone early by recovering their own kickoffs on their first two possessions, setting up shop well inside Storm territory. Unfortunately for Creek, the solid field position, and a hefty advantage in time of possession only ended in a 6- 0 first quarter lead on a Wyatt Gremilion’s 1- yard rushing score. Creek had three drives make their way inside Delta Charter’s 25 but couldn’t punch in another touchdown to pad the lead after 12 minutes.

It would prove costly as Delta Charter punched back with 16 unanswered points in the second quarter to take a 10-point lead into halftime on a 22-yard run and 36-yard touchdown pass. Creek quarterback Cason Floyd threw his first varsity touchdown pass, an 18-yard strike to junior Blake Robinson, to cut the deficit at the time to 24-12.

But Delta Charter pushed the lead further in the second half with an 81-yard touchdown run and a 70-plus yard scoop-and-score.

Creek head coach William Parkerson was proud of his team’s effort in the game, despite another tough loss to come home with. Moving forward, he knows the Cougars will want to execute better in the red zone to get over the hump.

“I think we probably press a little when we get in the red zone. I think we need to do a better job of trying to just relax and play,” Parkerson said. “But I love the fight and grit they display for 48 minutes each week. They never surrender and these boys will taste success soon. I absolutely love their fighting spirit.”

Creek’s third offensive touchdown of the night came on a 67- yard rushing score from a streaking James Myers – his second touchdown of the year – to get the Cougars their season high. Myers finished with 7 carries for 98 yards and a score. Trigger Woodard and Gremilion were hard runners in Creek’s backfield all night, with the duo rushing for 52 and 45 yards respectively.

“ Trigger and Wyatt both did a tremendous job running hard through contact,” Parkerson said. “Our offensive line did a great job opening holes for them to run through and they hit it 1,000 miles per hour.”

Defensively, Creek did allow Delta Charter’s running game to explode – with the Storm averaging 12 yards per carry at 252 total yards rushing – but the Cougars did keep their streak alive of getting a defensive takeaway as Hayden Durrett came away with an interception and Nolan Martin recovered a fumble. Durrett now has 4 takeaways in five games, leaving Parkerson impressed.

“Hayden has great instincts and does a great job with his preparation each week (film study/ game plan study) to know what plays the opponents’ offense is going to run by formation and down and distance to be able to put himself in position pre snap,” Parkerson said. “He’s smart and athletic – two great traits for a free safety. Hopefully, he can continue to progress, and the sky will be the limit for him.”

Robinson, who caught his first touchdown pass, also led the Cougars with 5 tackles. Mason Wooden and Payton Harris each had 4 tackles as well.

Cedar Creek ( 0- 5) returns to action on Friday, Oct. 11, in a district matchup at Plain Dealing.