Cardinals welcome in fresh Bulldogs
Published 11:16 am Wednesday, September 4, 2019
BRIDGE CITY — The Bridge City Cardinals want to find a way to get back on the winning track this week while the Jasper Bulldogs just want to get on track when the two meet at Ward Stadium on Litton Field Friday.
The Cardinals (0-1) are looking to bounce back after a 27-7 home setback to the Diboll Lumberjacks. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs (0-0) are heading into their opener after their game with Lumberton was halted last week due to bad weather.
The Bridge City defense held its own at times but was on the field a lot against the Lumberjacks last week.
The Cardinal offense managed just 55 total yards in the loss, 38 of it in the air and just 17 on the ground.
Bridge City gave up 299 yards to the Diboll offense as Lumberjack quarterback Dylan Maskunas completed 15-of-31 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown while Lumberjack back Daris McMillan ran for 115 yards on 21 carries and a pair of scores.
Cardinal quarterback Ethan Oceguera completed 6-of-15 passes for 38 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown strike to receiver Blake Moore.
Backs Andy Lara and Rylan Ply combined for 53 yards on 14 carries for the Cardinals.
The Bulldogs are coming off a 12-1 2019 campaign as they advanced to the 4A Region III semifinals before falling to West Orange-Stark.
Jasper has a whopping 17 starters returning to the mix, including running back Montavien Hunt. Hunt rushed for 1,514 yards and 20 touchdowns last season.
Burly back Carl Limbrick returns after rushing for 677 yards and eight TDs and receiver Bryce Barbay returns with 454 yards and six TDs receiving.
Junior Trashawn Adams will take control of the Bulldog offense.
The Bulldog defense is sparked by All-District linemen Brashaun Hubbard, Noah Spikes and Jarvis Wilson and All-District linebackers Tren Cooper and Alvin Bennett.
Jasper outgained the Cardinals 439-243 in a 45-7 victory in Jasper last season.
Hunt had 220 of Jasper’s 343 rushing yards on just six carries.
Lara paced the Cardinal arsenal with 83 yards on 16 totes.
Next week, the Cardinals will hit the road for the first time by making a trek to Anahuac while the Bulldogs stay on the road for a trip to LC-M.