Bears hosting undefeated Pirates

Published 7:05 am Wednesday, September 19, 2018

LITTLE CYPRESS — One Orange County team will be trying to keep their roll going while the other is seeking its first win of the season Friday night when the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Bears play host to the Vidor Pirates at Battlin’ Bear Stadium.

The Pirates (2-0) will look to continue to gain momentum with District 12-5A Division II starting up next week while the young Bears (0-3) will look to break through at home.

The Pirates have motored through their competition early, dominating fellow 5A schools Montgomery and Caney Creek.

The Pirates blasted Montgomery 42-14 in their opener at home, using their hard-nosed Wing-T attack to sink the Bears. They did the same last Thursday night as they ventured to Conroe and buried Caney Creek 35-7.

Long-time Vidor coach Jeff Mathews is thrilled to have eight starters back on the offensive side of the ball and it has showed early.

Running backs Zach Dahlenberg, who had 240 yards rushing alone against Montgomery, and Brad Nunez, who has been over 100 yards twice as well, are definitely the workhorses with Zach Seigrist also getting touches.

Pirate quarterback Gage Galloway has been a strong leader as well.

The Bears, meanwhile, have struggled mightily on both sides of the ball as Coach Randy Crouch is looking for a young team, without a whole lot of depth, try to grow and mature before the district campaign cranks up soon.

LC-M has been outscored 130-14 in their first three battles, including a tough 46-6 road loss at Jasper last week.

The Bears, defensively, are allowing 485.6 yards a game, including 349.3 on the ground as they will look to try to slow down the Pirate arsenal.

LC-M gained a season-high 165 yards in the loss to Jasper as quarterbacks Adam Pope and Ethan McCollum combined to throw for 123 yards.

Bear receiver James Williams hauled in five receptions for 87 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown connection from Pope.

Landon Bearden had nine carries for 49 yards to lead the Bear ground attack. He is the leading rusher for the season with 21 carries for 74 yards.

The Bears will wrap up their non-district portion of the schedule next week when they head to Sour Lake to face Hardin-Jefferson. LC-M has a bye Oct. 5 and will venture to Bridge City Oct. 12 to face the Cardinals in their District 11-4A Division I opener.

The Pirates, who already had their open week on Sept. 7, will welcome in District 12-5A Division II favorite Crosby in for their district opener next week.