BRIDGE CITY — After nabbing their first win of the season and the first career victory for first-year head coach Allen DeShazo, the Bridge City Cardinals will look to carry that momentum Friday night against a former district rival when the Silsbee Tigers come rolling into Ward Stadium.

The Cardinals (1-2) are coming off a stout defensive effort by downing the Anahuac Panthers 13-6 in their home opener last week after giving up a slew of big plays in losses to Diboll (42-7) and Jasper (45-7) to start the season.

Bridge City is allowing 345.3 yards a game but stepped it up last week, limiting the Panthers to just 186 total yards.

The Cardinals will look to get their ground game humming against a Silsbee (0-3) defense that has struggled in the early going.

The Cardinals are averaging 244.7 yards a game, sparked by fullback Andy Lara. Lara had 118 yards and a touchdown against Anahuac last week and has rushed for 201 yards in the last two weeks.

Tailback Rylan Ply has ran the ball well along with Gavin Villanueva behind a young offensive line that looks to continue to make strides. Quarterback Cace Skinner has played well too, completing several long balls for big gains.

The Tigers check in reeling after absorbing a 21-14 loss at the hands of the Nederland Bulldogs last week to remain winless.

The Tigers have definitely played a formidable schedule with losses to Port Neches-Groves (48-14) and Class 3A ranked No. 1 Newton (56-14).

Coach Randy Smith certainly has some weapons on the offensive side of the ball.

The Tigers have some elusive backs in the forms of Chris Martin and Antonius Arline along with quarterback Dralyn Taylor.

Silsbee will also try to get the ball to their wideouts in their spread offense as quarterback Taylor will look to get the leather to receivers Darshan Turk and Aaron Sells.

Despite returning eight starters, the Tigers have struggled mightily on the defensive side of the ball but rebounded well last week against Nederland before dropping a tight affair.

The Cardinals will wrap up their non-district slate next week when they visit the West Orange-Stark Mustangs. Bridge City will have its bye week Oct. 5 before cranking up District 11-4A Division I play at home against the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Battlin’ Bears.

The Tigers will still have two more non-district tilts as they will host Lumberton next week and will visit Longview Spring Hill Oct. 5. The Tigers will start District 10-4A Division II play on the road at West Orange-Stark Oct. 12 to tangle with the Mustangs.