The Cardinals set the tone early and never looked back as Bridge City dismantled the Vidor Pirates, 49-20, at Larry Ward Stadium in Bridge City on Friday night.
Vidor found the scoreboard first when running back Skylar Stankovich slipped through the middle of the Cardinals defense and ran 59-yards for the touchdown. The extra point was no good with the Pirates ahead, 6-0.
The Cardinals answered on the kickoff return as Abraham Munguia caught the ball, found the sideline and zipped to the end zone for an 85 yard touchdown return. The Kasen Watts extra point put the Cardinals ahead, 7-6.
Vidor was plagued by fumbles and put the ball on the ground eight times, while only losing two. Unfortunately, both of those lost fumbles resulted in touchdowns for the Cardinals.
The first came when Vidor receiver Dallas Pachuca was pounded by a trio of Bridge City defenders after a 12-yard reception. The ball hit the ground and was scooped up by Braxton Lynam, who then dashed 26-yard to the end zone and a 14-6 Cardinals lead.
Bridge City quarterback Hutch Bearden capped off the next Cardinals drive with a 9-yard touchdown run, which was set up by a 41-yard completion from Bearden to receiver Austin Bellanger on the previous play.
Another Pirates three-and-out gave the Cardinals the ball at its own 36-yard line. Bearden led the Cardinals downfield again and this time he connected with receiver Hunter Ford on a 25-yard touchdown pass and 28-6 lead at the half.
Bridge City took the opening kickoff of the second half and marched the ball 66-yards in nearly 5:30. Running back Ashton Sumrall was key to the drive as he chewed up big yards on multiple runs to keep the clock moving. Bearden added his second touchdown run of the night, this time from 7-yards out, to make the score 35-6.
Vidor defensive back Aidan Villafano intercepted Bearden on the next Cardinals possession and returned the ball to the Bridge City 16-yard line. On the Pirates first play, running back Daigan Venable cut through the left side of the line and dashed into the end zone for the score. The two point attempt failed leaving the score, 35-12, in favor of Bridge City.
The Cardinals tacked on two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Sumrall had a 1-yard touchdown run and defender Trey Bradley picked up another Pirates fumble and ran 28-yards for the Bridge City touchdown.
Vidor would add a touchdown on a big run by Marcus Harris, who zipped 61-yards for the score. The two point pass from quarterback Jett Brucia to receiver Brody Stankovich was successful to make the final score 49-20 for Bridge City.
The Cardinals gained 308 total yards of offense for the game. Bearden passed for 94 yards and one touchdown on 10 attempts, which included five completions to three receivers. Ford led all receivers with three receptions for 36 yards and one touchdown.
Sumrall carried the ball 18 times for 109 yards and a touchdown. Bearden added 50 yards on 10 carries and had two rushing touchdowns on the night.
The Vidor offense had 254 yards of total offense on the night, which included 222 yards on the ground. Harris led the Pirates rushing attach with 104 yards on six carries and one touchdown, while Venable had 13 rushes for 65 yards and a touchdown. Stankovich added 65 yards on five carries and a touchdown.
Bridge City (5-0, 2-0) hits the road next week to face the high-flying Hardin-Jefferson Hawks (3-2, 1-1) in a pivotal district matchup. Vidor (1-4, 0-2) will be back at Pirates Stadium to host the high-scoring Huffman-Hargrave Falcons (5-0, 2-0).
-Tommy Mann, KOGT-
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