A new season starts this week for Bridge City. With the start of district the Cardinals and all of the schools in the district have the same record.
Coach Allen DeShazo shared what the team did in the bye week leading up to district. It was a good time to get people that were banged up healthy. The coaches went back to the basics with the players, lifting weights and conditioning were the emphasis. DeShazo explained, “We didn’t beat on each other a lot to try to make sure everybody’s really healthy this second half of the season.”
The first district opponent is an old rival in Little Cypress-Mauriceville. DeShazo looked at the Bears on offense. They are a Spread Offense that throws the ball primarily, but did show the ability to run in the Bears’ first win two weeks ago. “They’re big up front, do a lot of little things well, they throw it well, catch it well, block well, they’re just a real well coached team,” DeShazo observed.
Bridge City has to prepare for two different quarterbacks from LC-M. Ethan McCollum and Adam Pope have both started for the Bears. DeShazo pointed out they have different skills, but both are dangerous. Christian Ickes rushed for over a hundred yards in LC-M’s victory against Hardin-Jefferson.
The Cardinals’ offense is the same Slot-T that LC-M faced in its win two weeks ago. Coach DeShazo was asked if he plans any wrinkles against the Bears’ defense. He replied that Bridge City does not plan anything new and will hang its hat on the Slot-T running game.
Little Cypress-Mauriceville showed great improvement defensively in its victory compared to four earlier season losses. The Bears use an even front on defense with big linemen. Their linebackers are very aggressive. DeShazo analyzed, “We have to really focus on doing our jobs and be where we’re supposed to be because they will exploit any mistakes we make.”
The opening game of district carries with it the importance of getting a good start in the hunt for the playoffs. Friday is also Homecoming for Bridge City which can be an added distraction for the players. DeShazo provided his motivation for the Cardinals going into the game with LC-M was to keep the players’ focus on the game and keep their minds off the festivities surrounding Homecoming and the rivalry talk with Little Cypress-Mauriceville.
It is an important game for Bridge City and the coach wants the best effort from the Cardinals. “District is starting now which is what we’ve been building up for the last five weeks. They’ve been really focused these last two weeks. We’ve just got to make sure we’re sound offensively, line up correctly on defense, and we keep kicking it well,” DeShazo concluded.
You can hear the game on KOGT with pregame beginning at 6pm and kickoff at 7pm.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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