Friday’s season opener for the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Bears is against the cross town rivals the West Orange-Stark Mustangs. Bears’ Coach Randy Crouch says the Mustangs will be a big test for the LC-M defense. Crouch compliments the WO-S coaches and adds they are a quality team. The coach hopes the Bears can contain Mustangs’ quarterback Jack Dallas who has plenty of speed and talent at wide receiver to throw the ball to and will have some backs that can run the ball as well. Crouch emphasizes the LC-M defense must get its assignments correct and play sound defense to slow down the Mustangs’ offense.
The Bears are looking to implement a new offense and run the ball more. Coach Crouch knows that will not be easy against the Chain Gang Defense of West Orange-Stark. Crouch points out that West Orange-Stark hangs its hat on its defense. The Bears are showing improvement with the new offense from more experience with it, will need to continue to cut down on their mistakes, and Crouch is optimistic that they can get better at that.
The annual Orange Bowl as the game is called will be determined by execution, but also the kicking game according to Crouch. Every team wants to cut out penalties, but Crouch realizes you cannot eliminate all of the penalties still a team wants to keep them to a minimum. He admits not turning the ball over is the goal especially not doing it when in scoring position. Crouch recognizes the kicking game as being a third part of the game plan and the Bears must be able to execute the kicking game if they want to beat the Mustangs.
The LC-M Bears play the West Orange-Stark Mustangs Friday night at Dan R. Hooks Stadium and live on KOGT.
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