INSIDE LOOK: Vidor Pirates, Bridge City Cardinals show plenty of promise and grit
Published 2:00 pm Friday, August 12, 2022
Vidor quarterback Jarrett Odom looks to scrmable for yardage against Bridge City in the scrimmage. (Van Wade/Orange Leader)
Bridge City quarterback Hutch Bearden looks to make a move heading up the field. (Van Wade/Orange Leader)
There was some solid hitting between the Bridge City Cardinals and Vidor Pirates in their first scrimmage. (Van Wade/Orange Leader)
Vidor sets up a nice running lane Thursday night in the scrimmage against Bridge City. (Van Wade/Orange Leader)
The Bridge City defense converges on the Vidor running game in the scrimmage Thursday. (Van Wade/Orange Leader)
Bridge City coach Cody McGuire addresses the Cardinals at halftime in the scrimmage against Vidor. (Van Wade/Orange Leader)
|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
BRIDGE CITY – They may have been delayed by an hour after a heavy downpour, but the Bridge City Cardinals and Vidor Pirates got their first scrimmage of the season in the books at Larry Ward Stadium Thursday night.
Both teams showed a lot of promise on both sides of the ball.
Bridge City’s defense made some key stops on Vidor’s Slot-T, especially in the first half, while the Pirates defense slowed down the Bridge City passing game well.
The Pirates finished with four touchdowns, while the Cardinals had one as both coaches got to see how their depth played out.
“Vidor’s all about being physical and I thought we matched up well with them,” said Cardinals coach Cody McGuire. “We evaluate every position in every scrimmage and during every game. We want to get better every time we get out on that field, so we’re going to evaluate everybody every time we play.”
Playing Vidor’s Slot-T Offense helps the Cardinals prepare for their season opener at Orangefield Aug. 26.
“We got a good look at it tonight and Orangefield runs it well, too,” said McGuire. “Another big thing with that first scrimmage, you get to evaluate some young guys that will help us depth-wise.”
Vidor coach Jeff Mathews always likes that first scrimmage to see how the kids face an opponent for the first time.
“That first scrimmage, you get a good look on where you succeed and what you need to work on,” said Mathews. “You also want to keep the kids calm, because they are seeing someone else for the first time. You only have so many numbers, so we didn’t want any injuries.”
Mathews felt the first test went well.
“We had a tremendous summer and great early practices, but you always find areas you need to improve on,” said Mathews. “The Cardinals were a good early test for us. Coach McGuire and the Cardinals look good and I like the excitement I see in their kids.”
The Cardinals will have their second scrimmage next Thursday at Woodville.
The Pirates visit West Orange-Stark in their second scrimmage next Thursday.
Vidor opena its season on the road at Silsbee Aug. 26 to face the Tigers.
