Down 14-7 at the half, the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Bears offense and defense got hot on a cold night and beat the Bridge City Cardinals 26-14 in the district opener for both.
In the first quarter LCM quarterback Ethan McCollum was flushed out of the pocket and turned it into a 45 yard touchdown. Robby Wedel added the point after for a 7-0 lead.
But Ethan Oceguera set up BC to respond after a great kickoff return to the LCM 32. Four plays later Oceguera took it in and Oscar Carranza added the PAT for the tie.
In the second quarter the Cardinals put together a 13 play drive and took a 14-7 halftime lead on another Oceguera TD from six yards.
In the third quarter LCM would tie the game after BC went three and out on their first possession.
The Bears converted two fourth down plays on the drive. The second one saw McCollum score from 21 out on a fourth and two.
After another three and out thanks to the Bear defense, LCM put together another long drive that included a great catch for 16 yds. by Brandon Pollock on a third and nine. McCollum would call his number again for his third touchdown. however the PAT was missed giving BC a chance with a six point deficit.
The Cards looked ready to respond as Rylan Ply and Oceguera had some hard nosed runs to get BC into LCM territory. But LCM DB Ken’teon Champine jumped the route on a first and ten pass attempt and intercepted the ball, setting up the Bears to run the ball and the clock.
Which they did.
A couple of solid runs by McCollum and Landon Bearden set up McCollum for his fourth touchdown with 1:46 left. The PAT was missed but the 12 point lead was enough to make the Bears 1-0 in district and 3-2 overall. BC fell to 0-1 and 1-4.
McCollum finished with 158 yds. rushing while the Bears defense held BC to no points and only 60 yds. of offense in the second half.
LCM travels to Splendora (1-0) and BC will welcome Huffman (1-0) for Homecoming.
-photo by Allen Nation, KOGT-
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