Defenses strong in scrimmages

Published 9:54 pm Friday, August 12, 2016

High school football teams were finally able to make contact besides hitting teammates as scrimmages took place Friday.

Over at Bridge City, the Cardinals battled Beaumont Kelly and Buna in a tri-scrimmage affair.

The Cardinals dominated the Bulldogs and Cougars in the controlled part of the scrimmage.

Against Kelly, fullback Cayce Draper broke loose for an 80-yard touchdown gallop on the first play from scrimmage. Speed-burner Hunter Denton followed up later with a 45-yard touchdown gallop around the right end.

Kelly had trouble moving the ball and even picking up first downs against a stiff Cardinal defense. The Bulldogs eventually scored on a 55-yard touchdown bomb against the Cardinals’ second defensive unit late.

Against Buna, the Cardinal offensive line showed its strength with long sustained drives.

Freshman tailback Andy Lara tallied two touchdowns, scoring from a yard out and he also broke loose for a 45-yard touchdown jaunt.

Meanwhile, Bridge City was stern on defense as well against the Cougars, keeping Buna out of the end zone as the Cougars struggled just to manage a few first downs.

The Cardinals will look to carry their momentum from last year into this season as Coach Dwayne DuBois’ Redbirds will look to improve on last year’s superb 7-4 campaign in which they bolted into the playoffs.

The Cardinals return seven starters on both sides of the ball as they will look to make a dent once again in District 10-4A Division I.

Bridge City will visit Kirbyville Thursday, Aug. 18 for its second scrimmage.

The Cardinals will open their campaign Aug. 26 on the road at Hamshire-Fannett. Bridge City will get the 10-4A season going Oct. 7 when they welcome the Cleveland Indians to Ward Stadium.

The West Orange-Stark Mustangs battled the Port Neches-Groves Indians Friday at The Reservation.

The Mustangs came out stingy on the defensive side of the ball from the onset as they defeated the Indians 19-7 in a 48-minute-styled contest.

Mustang senior quarterback Jack Dallas led WO-S on three nice scoring drives in the first half as he passed for three touchdowns.

The Indians finally got on the board midway through the third quarter on a 32-yard run by Preston Hughes.

WO-Swill be on a quest to make the Class 4A Division I State Championship for the third straight years and will look to repeat as state champion.

The Mustangs will be seeking a postseason spot for the 13th straight year after rolling to a 15-1 mark and the state crown last December.

Coach Cornel Thompson welcomes back a plethora of talent with eight starters returning on offense and nine on defense.

The Mustangs will host Vidor in a scrimmage Thursday, Aug. 18.

WO-S will open up the season at home against Nederland. They will not open up defense of their District 12-4A Division II crown until Oct. 7 when Hamshire-Fannett rolls into Hooks Stadium.

Over at Little Cypress-Mauriceville, the Battlin’ Bears will look to improve on last year’s 3-7 finish.

The Bears will be remain in District 10-4A Division I against the likes of Bridge City, Silsbee, Huffman, Cleveland and newcomer Navasota.

The Bears scrimmaged at Coldspring Friday.

Coach Randy Crouch’s Bears return five starters on offense and four on defense.

The Bears will visit Newton Thursday, Aug. 18 for their second scrimmage.

LC-M will kick off its 2016 campaign on the road against former 10-4A foe Jasper Aug. 26.

The first 10-4A game will be Oct. 7 when they make a trip to Silsbee to face the Tigers.

The Orangefield Bobcats will be seeking their fourth straight playoff berth and Coach Josh Smalley welcomes back seven starters on offense and six on defense from last season’s 5-6 playoff unit.

Numbers are good in Bobcat Country as well.

Orangefield tangled with Shepherd in their first scrimmage Friday.

Both defenses played well. The Bobcats got a touchdown when the two first team units played. Neither team scored when the second teams saw action.

The Bobcats will travel to Splendora in a scrimmage Thursday, Aug. 18 with the varsity starting around 6:30 p.m.

The Bobcats will open their season at home Aug. 26 against long-time rival Buna. Orangefield will not begin District 12-4A Division I play until Oct. 7 at Liberty.