The Bridge City Cardinals are stepping into unfamiliar waters as they take on Kilgore in the third round Friday afternoon in New Caney.
It’s been 10 years since BC won district which is also the last time they reached the third round of the 4AD1 playoffs.
They face (11-1) Kilgore, the district champs from what is known as the District of Doom. The Cards have already taken out one of their teams, Chapel Hill. Kilgore also defeated them 28-7 when they faced each other in district. The Bulldogs have defeated LCM and Stafford in the first two rounds. Their only loss on the season was Week 1 against mighty Carthage.
“They’re what you expect to see in the number three team in the state,” said Coach Josh Smalley. “They’re big, athletic, and can score in all phases of the game.” And they’ve done that in the playoffs with three defensive touchdowns and one special teams TD.
“But as I told our players, we’re one of the 16 teams left in our bracket. You don’t get to this point without being a good team. So we’re going to line up and give them all we’ve got. The kids have had good practices in the postseason.”
The Cards have been adding some wrinkles to their offense that have paid off in the first two playoff wins. Coach Smalley and Offensive Coordinator Aaron Manous may have a few more looks to throw at the Bulldogs.
Defensively the Bulldogs are as impressive as they are defensively. But Smalley referenced one player as the best he’s seen. “Their nose guard (6-0, 280) Cam Christian (#84) is unbelievable. His brother currently plays at Lamar.” Cam has committed to Texas State.
BC fans are asked to line Texas Ave. between Roundbunch and Ferry on Friday morning at 9:30am to cheer the boys as they travel to the game. “The community has been great,” Smalley said. “They’ve shown up and stayed loud and we appreciate that.”
The winner of the game will face either Pine Tree or Crawford.
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