BRIDGE CITY — After a tough season-opening loss to the Diboll Lumberjacks, the young Bridge City Cardinals aim to continue to show improvement this week as they will visit a formidable Jasper Bulldogs unit on the road Friday night.

The Cardinals (0-1) fell to Diboll 42-7 last week in Coach Allen DeShazo’s debut as head coach while Jasper (1-0) waltzed into Lumberton and snared a nice 31-14 road win.

The Cardinals moved the ball well at times against the Lumberjacks last week but saw drives either stall and they had some costly turnovers. Despite that, the Cardinals had over 250 total yards.

Defensively, the Cardinals actually held Diboll in check some, but the Lumberjacks utilized explosive scoring plays that went for 45, 65, 70 and 80 yards as 260 of Diboll’s over 400 yards came on just four plays.

The Cardinal offense will look to get it in gear behind quarterback Cace Skinner, fullback Andy Lara and running back Rylan Ply.

Skinner had a 61-yard scoring strike to receiver Cory Westlund for the Cardinals’ lone score against Diboll.

The Bulldogs are young, with five starters returning on each side of the ball. However, as usual, the talent remains.

Jasper finished 8-3 last season and won the 8-4A Division II title.

Coach Darrell Barbay lost a very talented senior class but the cupboard is far from bare.

The Bulldogs run a Multiple Wing-T attack and have a slew of versatile backs to get the ball too including the district Newcomer of the Year Montavien Hunt along with Jarvis Wilson and Reggie Shaw.

The Bulldogs also have dangerous receivers and return men with the likes of Nolan Smith, LaJavian Jackson and Terrien Collins.

The Bulldog defense is anchored by all-district lineman Trent Bryant and all-district defensive back Charlie Burnett.

After visiting the Bulldogs this week the Cardinals will return home for two straight games against Anahuac (Sept. 14) and Silsbee (Sept. 21).

Jasper will remain at home next week as the Bulldogs will welcome in Little Cypress-Mauriceville.