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For nearly three months, Little Cypress-Mauriceville athletes have been chomping at the bit to go to the high school campus and work out with their teammates and friends.

Well, that wish was granted by the University Interscholastic League that started Monday as they were allowed to begin to get back in shape and Bear athletes have been coming in big numbers.

“The numbers have been great, we’ve had about 135 boys showing up and 75 to 80 girls,” said LC-M Athletic Director and head football coach Randy Crouch. “We’ve been able to move them in and out at different stations to avoid the large groups according to the rules the UIL set forth.”

LC-M athletes are looking forward to working themselves back into shape. LC-M has set hours for summer workouts from June 8-July 23.

All LC-M male athletes can work out with social distancing of course, from 8 a.m.-9:30 a.m. And then they can go to their specific sport workout from 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

All LC-M female athletes are allowed to work out from 9:45 a.m.-11:45 a.m. along with their specific sport workout as well.

Times are certainly different but Coach Crouch loves how the school district has met the challenge.

“It’s different for sure, but it’s great to see all the kids because they have been so tired of being cooped up,” said Crouch. “It’s been challenging for sure, to meet all of the UIL’s guidelines, but the key is definitely keeping everyone safe. True, it’s a lot of extra work for coaches but the groups that really deserve a big shout-out is our maintenance department and custodial department. They have both gone that extra mile ever since the pandemic started and they are continuing to work so hard to make sure everything is sanitized and clean across the entire district. When the kids and coaches leave, they are the ones up here in the evenings making sure everything is safe. They do a tremendous, tremendous job and we are all so grateful.”

Coach Crouch and the Bear staff certainly missed the spring offseason like so many other staffs across the state, but are thrilled to be back.

“You do much during the spring to get ready and get into a routine, and kids really unite and bond during that time too,” said Crouch. “Kids are always up here during the summers but even more so now. They get to come in and work out and then get to get into their groups to do sport specific workouts, which is different than in years’ past. They are all so happy to just be here. This is the time many families are on vacations and stuff, but this year, not so much. We’ve had a great turnout and it’s so great to see all of them.”

Right before the pandemic started, Coach Crouch finalized the 2020 Battlin’ Bear football schedule. He was scrambling for a 10^th game and finally got one with Katy Jordan, a new school in the Katy School District. Katy now has nine schools in its district.

“It was great to get that one scheduled because we were scrambling for so long,” said Crouch. “They are a new school, so everything is going to be fresh for them. We will have them at home this year and will go to their place next season.”

The Bears have scrimmages against Orangefield (home) and Bridge City (away).

Their non-district schedule will consist of Hamshire-Fannett (home), West Orange-Stark (home), Katy Jordan (home), Woodville (away) and Houston Kincaid (away).

After a bye week district will start with games against Huffman (home), Vidor (away), Lumberton (home), Livingston (away) and Splendora (home).