LITTLE CYPRESS — No question about it, the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Battlin’ Bears have faced a stout non-district schedule against the likes of Woodville, West Orange-Stark, Jasper and Vidor, four teams with playoff traditions that should make the playoffs again by November.

The young Bears (0-4) will try to nab their first victory of the campaign Friday when they visit a Hardin-Jefferson (1-3) teams that has dropped three straight games as both teams look to improve before their respective district seasons crank up.

The Bears are coming off a 44-7 home loss in the rain against the Vidor Pirates and have been outscored 177-21 thus far on the season.

The Hawks (1-3), meanwhile, picked up a 32-0 season-opening victory over Coldspring before dropping their last three games to East Chambers (48-24), Woodville (41-0) and to Huffman (18-7) and beating outscored 107-31.

Head coach Dwayne DuBois returned to Hardin-Jefferson this year and looks to rebuild the Hawks. DuBois was 19-7 from 2013-14 at H-J, taking the Hawks to the third round of the playoffs before going to Bridge City three years in leading the Cardinals to a 17-14 record and one district title.

The Hawks made the playoffs last season despite going 2-6 and returned six starters on each side of the ball as they will be running the Slot-T offense that made them successful under DuBois four years ago.

The Hawks have a solid backfield, led by quarterback Collin Pomirko along with backs Izaak Whitman, Justin Smith, Arcadian Judge and Kevin Borque as they will try to attack a Bear defense that is allowing 482 yards a game, 373 of it coming on the ground, including 444 against Vidor last week.

The Bears will look to get their spread offense humming after averaging just 94.3 yards a game. LC-M picked up 146 yards in the air last week behind quarterback Adam Pope. Receiver Brenon Pollock hauled in two passes for 122 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown toss from Pope. Receiver James Williams has hauled in eight receptions for 111 yards the last two outings.

The Bears will have their bye week next week and will then open up District 11-4A Division I action on the road at Bridge City Oct. 12.

The Hawks will host Tarkington in their last non-district battle next week before opening District 10-4A Division II play at home Oct. 12 against Hamshire-Fannett.