By Travis Chapman
Friday night lights took the Apaches down the road to Ruston in a huge 1-1A rivalry game where the Apaches fell to the Cedar Creek Cougars for the first time since joining the LHSAA by a score of 31-8.
The Cougars won the toss and started with the ball at the 35. Sugar Slade Lollar and Davis Powell made huge tackles for loss after the Cougar running back made a big gain. The Apaches faced a 4th and goal from the one. The Cougars’ back dove over the line for the opening drive touchdown and never looked back. The extra point was broken up by the Apaches. The Cougars led 6-0 with 7:47 left in the first.
The Apaches took over on the 34 from a great return from Ace Rollen. Huddy Glasscock nabbed a middle screen from Rowdy Reagan for huge gain of 36. Ryder Malone showcased his sticky hands with a big catch to put the Apaches in the red zone. With one-on-one coverage to the 2-guard, Carson Powell, who can jump out of the gym, a flat pass delivered to the corner of the end zone by Reagan allowed the out of position corner back to get back into the play and come down with the football for a turnover in the end zone. On the ensuing defensive set, Sugar Slade Lollar kept showing his dominance on the field and was in on nearly every tackle in the game. The Cougars picked up big yardage into the Apaches’ territory. On a pivotal 4th down, Dub-Weston Duck, blew through and made a great tackle as the Apaches forced a turnover on downs.
The Apache offense took over on the 31 to try and answer the Cougars as the first quarter closed with the Apaches trailing 6-0. After moving the football a little bit, the Cougars came down with another interception. The Cougars quickly drove it down the field and scored right up the middle and converted the 2pt conversion, 14-0 with 7:50 remaining in the half.
The Apache offense took over on the 29 after the kick-off. The Cougars’ defensive ends continued to gain pressure as Reagan was sacked for a third time which brought up a 3rd and cab ride from the Aapche 16. A great play call was dialed up to throw off the Cougar defensive front. Rowdy Reagan found Darron-The Dime-Hollingsworth and picked up huge first down on a perfectly executed wide receiver screen. But the Apaches’ drive stalled around mid-field and they were forced to punt.
Hollingsworth was back to punt, but the ball was snapped way over his head and out of the back of the end zone for a safety. Cougars led 16-0 with 4:20 left in the first half. The Cougars took over on the Apache 48. The Apaches backed the cougars up and forced a long 4th down and Cougar punt. Apaches took over on the 25. The Apaches struggled to execute and were forced to punt as again with 1:18 remaining in the half. The Apaches’ defense stood firm as Sugar Slade Lollar and Huddy Glasscock team tackled and forced the end of the half. Apaches trailed, 16-0.
Apaches’ opening possession was forced to punt after some miscues. On the next possession the Cougars executed perfectly and scurried in from 60 yards for another touchdown. With the 2-point try, the Apaches trailed 24-0 late in the third. The Apaches moved the ball with a running attack of Connor Williams, Carson Whitehead and Ryan Reagan to inside of the 30-yard line of the Cougars. The Cougars stepped in front of a slant pass and came down with its third interception of the night. The Apaches’ defense backed them up and forced a second and 20. The Apaches forced a turnover after a poor field goal attempt from the Cougars. The Apaches took over on the 20-yard line. The Apaches faced 4th and long after moving the chains twice. Golden Gage White released from the TE position and picked up 15 yards for the first down. Golden Gage continued to pick up great yardage with great hands as they moved into Cougar territory. A great pass from Rowdy Ryan to The Dime gashed the Cougars and set up the Apaches on the 3-yard line. Reagan punched it in for the lone Apache touchdown for the night. Colt-Man on Fire-Jellum (who was drastically held on defense most of the night) rumbled into the end zone for the 2-point conversion. The Cougars still led, 24-8. Apache defense needed a quick stop but was unable to complete the stop where the Cougars worked up a few wrinkle plays to score and make the lead insurmountable late in the 4th quarter.
Your Apaches were stunned, 31-8 as Cedar Creek celebrated as if they had won the Super Bowl. In the tough loss, the young Apaches will bounce back better than ever. I hope this awakens a fire within them to work, train and have an unwavering focus to get better each week of the season. The Apaches are not out of it and will have a chip on their shoulders going forward to execute greatness!!
Next week the fun festivities of homecoming bring on the great memories to be made for the seniors of 2025. Be sure to get to Apache stadium early as the Homecoming festivities will be a great ceremony to watch and support. Lets show up and show out for our Apaches as they look to dominate a district win against the Plain Dealing Lions with kick off set at 7 p.m.
Family on me..Family on three.. 1-2-3 FAMILY!!!
