Work continues for No. 4 Bearcats

Jerrod Baugh wants his team to ignore the hype and the past. There’s plenty to work on right now.

The No. 4 Bearcats ( 5- 0) may be opening District 2-5A play with the Alexandria Sr. High Trojans (3-2) — a team they beat 48- 23 last season –— and begin a stretch that could move Ruston back into the topflight of Class 5A, but their head coach doesn’t take stock in what came before and what might be.

“I’ve heard, ‘there’s three seasons’ and all that kind of stuff but for me it’s week to week on the things we need to accomplish and then go out and perform,” Baugh said. “I told the kids about if they get hung up on what everyone’s talking about being 5-0 and No. 1 in the power rankings and all that, you’ll look around and you’ll be 5-1. And if you continue to listen to those things, that’s what happens to you. We’re trying to be 1-0 for the week.”

Baugh’s message to his team was met with emphatic agreement after practice Tuesday, but there’s no denying history — even if the Bearcats say they won’t think about it.

Ruston is 8-1 against ASH over the last decade and have outscored the Trojans 398194 in that span. And last year, district was more than kind to the Bearcats overall as they outscored opponents 240-60.

Besides starting 1-0 over league competition, Baugh said tonight’s matchup with ASH is another opportunity for Ruston to play a true, full football game. Not quarters or halves. It’s what’s made the team’s wins a little too close for comfort this year, including leading for all of 34 seconds but winning against Class 4A No. 3 Neville last week.

Baugh said the offense’s up- and- down start to the season has come from limited experience of the unit, while dealing with injuries at wide receiver as Logan Malone missed the Neville contest.

Starting tight end Zhy Scott was also out. Baugh expects both will be back tonight.

On defense, being put back on the field after consecutive punts from the offense and lapses in downfield coverage assignments on third down have caused lapses in dominance.

And with special teams, opponents have averaged 31.3 yards on punt returns.

Whether it be tonight against ASH or at some point down the line in district, Baugh said if the Bearcats can put together a full game of competent play, taking full advantage of in-game opportunities, the sky is the limit.

“We still have yet to put a complete game together offensively, defensively, and special teams,” Baugh said. “I think we’ve played segments of games well in all three phases, but we have yet to put an entire game together where I feel like we played well in all three phases altogether. I’m looking forward to it because we’re a very good football team if that takes place.”

ASH comes into the game on a hot streak. After dropping backto- back games against highly ranked Carencro and St. Thomas More to begin the season, the Trojans have won three straight over Natchitoches-Central, East Ascension and Green Oaks.

The Trojans are led by running back J.T. Lindsey and quarterback Ty Feaster.

Lindsey, who also happens to be a track star, rushed for 126 yards and 4 touchdowns against Natchitoches-Central a few weeks back. He’s been offered a scholarship by Tulane as a junior at ASH.

Feaster, the son of Louisiana Christian University offensive coordinator David Feaster, is in his first season at ASH after guiding Glenbrook Academy to a playoff run a year ago.

Feaster’s favorite target has been Amyrion Mingo, a two-way player. Defensively, the Trojans are led by Omarion Ford, a hybrid linebacker and safety who leads the Trojans in tackles this season.

No. 4 Ruston ( 5-0) celebrates Homecoming and begins district play against ASH (3-2) tonight at Hoss Garrett Stadium at 7 p.m.