In a game that saw eight lead changes, the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Bears left Bridge City with a 47-41 win and a 2-0 district record.
In the second quarter, with the Bears leading 14-12, Bridge City’s Max Baker, who had already scored one touchdown, ran around the left end on a 4th and 7. As he stretched for the first down marker, he had a head on collision with a Bear defender. Baker went flying across the sideline, landing out of bounds and he laid motionless for a long time.
Emergency personnel began protocol and the crowd waited to see some reaction. But instead realized it was a serious situation when they removed his face mask and watched an ambulance drive onto the track.
The call was made for a medical helicopter to land on the practice field but Baker began to respond by slightly moving his arms and legs. He was transferred to the hospital by ambulance. Word came to the stadium following the game that doctors ran several tests on Baker and he was later released.
During the 45 minute break, both teams stayed on their own sidelines. But as Baker was carted off the LCM players walked to the Cardinal logo painted on the 50 yard line and took a knee, facing the Cardinals. BC players saw what was happening and began to join their opponents at midfield. The coaches and even referees took part in a two minute prayer for Baker. There weren’t many dry eyes in Larry Ward Stadium.
The teams were given a few minutes to get loose before play resumed. The Cards regained their composure and continued their drive downfield, scoring on a one yard sneak and converting a two point conversion to take a 20-14 lead.
BC took a 26-21 lead into the locker room. After Mia Woodruff was crowned homecoming queen, the two teams combined to score 35 points in the third quarter. The game was tied at 41 when the fourth quarter began.
The Cards had the football and attempted a fake punt on a fourth and one from their 40 and the Bears held them. LCM took over on downs and scored four plays later on an Ethan McCollum 16 yard run. The Bears attempted a two point conversion but failed, holding on to a 47-41 lead with 5:26 left.
The Cards got the ball at their 41 and began to ground and pound down the field. But the Cardinals fumbled the ball, LCM picked it up and ran 20 yds. before fumbling it back to BC at their own 32. BC had three timeouts and 2:30 on the clock, but it just wasn’t enough as the clock ran out on the Cardinals chances, ending with a sack on quarterback Caleb Dubois on fourth and nine from the 42 yd line with 4 seconds left.
The two rivals put up almost 900 yards of offense with McCollum leading the way for LCM with 180 rushing and three touchdowns to go along with 118 yards passing and a score. Sophomore Rylan Ply took over for the injured Baker and didn’t disappoint with 126 yards on 17 carries. BC, who has been hit by the injury bug this season, also saw starters Andy Lara and Jackson Tims carried off with ankle injuries.
BC (1-1) will travel to Silsbee (1-1) while LCM (2-0) will host Huffman (0-2).
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