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The Cedar Creek Eagles varsity football team is gearing up for its season opener against the Del Valle Cardinals Thursday, Aug. 28, at 7 p.m. at Bastrop Independent School District Stadium.
The Eagles will look to snap a 35-game losing streak, with their last victory coming in a 14-6 win over Elgin during the 2021-22 season. First-year head coach Jared Shaw is aiming to change that narrative and set a new tone for the program.
Cedar Creek will have to flip the script against the Cardinals after falling 54-21 in last year’s season opener. The challenge will be even tougher without last season’s starting quarterback, Blake Orr, who transferred to Lockhart in the offseason, and top wide receiver Dakota Baker, who graduated in the spring.
Senior running back Anthony Scott is expected to be a key piece of the Eagles’ offense. Scott finished second on the team in rushing yards last season behind Orr and will now take on a bigger role leading the ground game.
Del Valle also enters the matchup with a new look after losing its starting quarterback, Alex Marcantoni, who transferred to Cedar Ridge in the offseason. However, the Cardinals return their leading rusher, senior running back Charles Dent, who will look to anchor the offense.
Defensively, Cedar Creek will rely on experience to try to slow down Dent and the Cardinals’ rushing attack. Senior defensive back Dylan Redmond, junior defensive end Alejandro Flores and junior defensive lineman Johnsy Pasco return as key playmakers expected to bolster the Eagles’ defense.
With new leadership on the sidelines and a core of experienced players stepping into larger roles, Cedar Creek hopes to open the season with renewed energy and confidence as it looks to end one of the longest losing streaks in the area.
