Coach Rodney O Parker and the Dickson County Cougars ended March with a road loss to Rossview.
They were 4-10.
A week later Coach Parker sat down with me on the RFC Sports hour and detailed what went well the previous weekend against Creek Wood and how far they still had to go.
Well, the Cougars haven’t lost this month.
Eight straight wins, including some rather impressive ones.
Inferior district competition, like Northwest and Kenwood?
Dickson County has won by a combined 47-8 margin.
Competition like they will see in regionals and beyond, aka very competitive?
One run victories, including a walk-off, over Clarkesville Academy and Stewarts Creek.
Not to mention an 8-4 win over a scrappy Fairview squad!
At 4-10, I am not sure anyone believed Coach Parker.
I was hesitant even after seeing this team make an unprecedented run to the district title game last season.
Now the situation is very different. I trust and believe this team can be special.
They have great arms, a small ball lineup that beats you with singles, walks, and base running, and they do not flinch in the face of adversity.
Adam Roth’s nine strikeouts against Northwest and Cade Pilkington’s walk-off, 3-run double to beat Clarkesville Academy, prime examples.
This is the kind of team we expect from Dickson County and Coach Parker.
The question is now, when or if they lose again.
Down the stretch, they have three district games left.
Two versus Henry County and one makeup game with Kenwood.
They need to win two of three minimum.
Out of district, in true Coach Parker fashion, they still have two games with Greenbrier, and one apiece with Father Ryan, Mount Juliet, Clarkesville, and CPA.
Prediction? Beat Greenbrier twice, compete in the other four and results are irrelevant.
The Cougars, have now shown an ability to win five-plus in a row, shown they can beat anyone any day, and in all different ways.
Now what matters is district seeding, and regional beyond that.
Win the games that matter, stay healthy and compete in those that do not.
