The weather was a big factor in the opening game of the season for Little Cypress-Mauriceville. The Bears played well despite two delays because of lightning and rain.
Coach Eric Peevey was pleased with the Bears overcoming the elements and the Hamshire-Fannett Longhorns. It was huge that in the sloppy playing conditions that none of the Bears were injured. The two weather delays could have been major distractions for the players, but Peevey was happy with the way the Bears stayed focused throughout the game.
Nicholas Granger had an unbelievable game on defense according to Peevey. Granger maintained and sealed the edge against the Longhorn runners. The highlight of Granger’s night was recovering a fumble and returning it for a touchdown.
The LC-M offensive line had a good game after making adjustments for Hamshire-Fannett blitzing eight guys every play. Junior Jan Nazario in his first game to start graded really high as did senior center Gunner Johnson who had a strong game.
Running back De’Marion Morris had three touchdowns for the Bears. Peevey praised, “Playing both ways the entire night he had a great game.”
LC-M will face another team this week from the same district as Hamshire-Fannett in the state ranked West Orange-Stark Mustangs. Peevey evaluated the Mustangs’ offense starting with the front line which is huge. In the middle of that offensive wall Peevey said is the best center in the entire area Demetrius Hunter.
At running back is Elijah Gales who has played on the varsity since he was a freshman. Gales is in position to become the all-time leading rusher in West Orange-Stark school history that includes some very good running backs over the years. Peevey acknowledges a key for the Bears will be keeping Gales contained.
The Mustangs’ wide receivers look like four running backs to Peevey. West Orange-Stark tries to get the ball to the wide outs quickly and let them be a running back in the open field.
Quarterback Landon Heath had a rough game against Nederland in the opener, but showed in the Mustangs’ scrimmages he can throw the football. “Offensively, they’re going to keep you spread and they’re going to keep you on your toes because they’re going to use the field sideline to sideline they’re not going to focus on just one area. We’ve got to do a job containing them, tackling, and making sure we maintain the line of scrimmage,” Peevey analyzed.
Defense is a hallmark of West Orange-Stark teams. Coach Peevey identified the key personnel for the Mustangs on defense are the two ends Bryson Jordan and Carmello Jones with their size and speed. Dontrey McClain at the rover is experienced and likewise gets to the ball carrier very fast.
West Orange-Stark has been running the same defense for decades as Coach Peevey observed. He knows how the Mustangs are going to lineup, but the key with them is that all of them fly to the football and they do not miss tackles.
The tasks for Little Cypress-Mauriceville are to first block the Mustangs up front and out wide and then second make plays downfield with the Bears’ receivers and backs. Peevey emphasized, “We’re not going to change what we do, we’re going to do what we do against them, and try to get better facing the best competition, iron sharpens iron.”
The annual Orange Bowl will pit Little Cypress-Mauriceville against West Orange-Stark. Peevey knows this will be a tougher test for his Bears come Friday night than the first week against Hamshire-Fannett.
The coach believes the Bears faced adversity well in the opener especially with the weather causing delays multiple times. Still there were some miscues and negative plays for LC-M that could prove costly against West Orange-Stark.
Coach Peevey knows the Bears must play better this game. “I think we’re ready to take the next step, and we know that we have to play a much better game to be able to compete with teams like West Orange,” Peevey concluded.
The game will be carried live on KOGT Friday night and replayed Saturday morning at 7am.
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