The Bridge City Cardinals have their first win of the season under their wings after traveling to Anahuac and defeating the Panthers 35 to 21. The Bridge City offense was really clicking in the game.
Coach Allen DeShazo praised the great performance by the Cardinals. It was a good night offensively with over 350 yards on the ground. Bridge City had two rushers with over a hundred yards. Quarterback Ethan Oceguera had his first game with over 100 yards, and he was joined by fullback Andy Lara with his second game over the century mark.
Joining them in the backfield was a callup Harrison Gauthier from the junior varsity. He contributed a key block on a touchdown run by Lara in the first half before adding a touchdown of his own in the third quarter.
The defense started slowly figuring out the multiple sets used by Anahuac. The Cardinals played super hard flying to the ball all night. DeShazo complimented, “I’m just really excited for all of them, feel really good for the kids.”
This week Bridge City plays Silsbee on Lumberton’s turf field. DeShazo analyzed the talented Tiger offense. Silsbee bases out of an I-Formation with a little bit out of the Shotgun. The Tigers will sometimes use two tight ends with a lot of two backs behind the quarterback.
That said, Silsbee does not use the various exotic formations that Bridge City’s last two opponents have shown. “At least we get to see a normal offense this week,” DeShazo reminded.
The Tiger running backs are breakaway, and DeShazo compares them to the runners Jasper used against the Cardinals two weeks ago. Dralyn Taylor, Chris Martin, and Antonius Arline will hit the hole hard and once in the open they are hard to catch.
Quarterback Raymond Foster likes to the throw deep and has good receivers who can go up to catch the ball. The Silsbee offensive line is good at giving Foster plenty of time to look for receivers.
The Cardinals want to keep their offense rolling, and Coach DeShazo evaluated the Silsbee defense they will be facing. The Tigers’ defense shows a 50 look, but will slide into a four-man front at times.
Linebackers Dillon Tarver and Martin are super aggressive. They come downhill in a hurry according to DeShazo. The noseguard Lawrence Williams is big and hard to move.
Much like the defensive backs for the last two Cardinal opponents, the Tigers do not like to give up deep pass plays. They are also sure tacklers when opposing receivers do catch a pass. Bridge City hopes to use the running game to open up its passing game more. DeShazo said, “We’re going to have to figure out a way to exploit that with dinks and dunks when we throw it and get on those guys and get in their way a little bit.”
The initial victory of the season has got spirits up in Bridge City. DeShazo explained the goal for this week in the game on Thursday night against Silsbee is like every week in non-district which is to get better than the previous game. The Cardinals have found some things that are working, and there are a few things still in the coach’s bag of tricks which may come out this week.
In particular DeShazo stated he wants to work on the passing game and call more passing plays this week. The Cardinals only threw six passes in the Anahuac game. “Keep the run game where it is and keep ourselves healthy.” DeShazo concluded.
The game will be played Thursday night in Lumberton because of the weather. The kickoff will be at 7:30 PM and broadcast on KOGT.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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