Ruston turns championship page, focused on reloading talent

Ruston, La. (KTVE/KARD) — The Ruston High School Bearcats are wrapping up week one of spring practice after coming off a historic championship run and they’re going into the new year with the same goal and mindset. After strapping up the pads and being able to go full contact it doesn’t look like last year was a one hit wonder, but the first step on the road to another title begins now.

The team lost a few key defensive pieces that were vital to their postseason run like former Bearcats edge rushers Geordan Guidry and Ahmad Breaux. Ruston High School football head coach Jerrod Baugh said spring practice is where the squad will need guys to solidify who the team will depend on for next season.

“They’ve come out here with a really good attitude about going to work for the main thing and anytime you can get that out of a group three days in a row like it’s been, and it was really hot Tuesday and Wednesday, and it was the first time putting on full gear and they were able to get past that to try to improve. We’re going to make big strides if they can continue to come out here and do that. This week I think has been really positive in that respect and we’re trying to replace some big pieces that we lost defensively, and I think we took some big steps with that in trying to see who’s going to replace those guys that were big playmakers last year and hopefully we’ll just continue to get better next week,” said Baugh.

One of the effects that come with winning a title is that the hunter soon becomes the prey. Every program wants to send a message that they are next in line to win it all and want to take down the champion. The Bearcats aren’t worried, they’ve been through enough trials and tribulations in the past few years to know they now have target on their back when the season comes back around.

“Last year was the next step for our program, losing in the state championship and then being able to back that up with another trip and try to finish it off and then win it. This group will be the hunted group. You win a state championship, and everybody is going to get up to play you and we’re going to have to get ready for everybody’s best shot and that’ll be the next step for our football program. Can we put up to what everybody is going to bring on a weekly basis and be able to match their intensity week to week? We’ve got to be able to handle that,” said Baugh.

The Bearcats Spring Game will kick off on May 16th against Captain Shreve.