Football practice cranks up Monday around the area

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Football practice cranks up Monday around the area

Van Wade

The Orange Leader

The high school football season is inching closer and closer.

However, before the season gets roll, all the area teams must go through their rigorous pre-season schedule.

Little Cypress-Mauriceville, Vidor, Bridge City, Orangefield, West Orange-Stark and Deweyville will be breaking out the equipment soon.

Here are the following workout schedules, scrimmages and opening dates for the six local high school squads:

WO-S

The Mustangs, who went 11-2 last year under long-time coach Dan Hooks, won their fourth straight district title and advanced to the Class 3A Division II Region III Semifinals, return six starters on offense and five on defense.

All Mustang players must report at 8 a.m. to get equipment and will hit the field as soon as possible. They will have a second practice starting at 4 p.m.

The rest of the week the Mustangs will start practice at 4 p.m. and will go to 5:30 p.m. They will have a break and then come back for a 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. workout.

WO-S has two scrimmages slated, the first one at Dayon Aug. 16 and the second one at Vidor on Aug. 22.

The Mustangs will open the 2008 campaign on the road Aug. 29 at former Class 4A rival Nederland. They will open District 21-3A play at home Oct. 10 against Silsbee.

BRIDGE CITY

The Cardinals, who went 0-10 in coach Cris Stump’s first season at the helm, look to turn things around in 2008 and have a whopping nine starters back on offense and eight on defense.

Bridge City players will report at 7 a.m. to pick up equipment and will hit the field running at 8 a.m. The varsity will practice from 8 a.m.-9:30 a.m. followed by the freshman from 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m. The varsity will come back to practice again from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

The Cardinals have two scrimmages lined up. They will host Lumberton Aug. 16 starting with the freshmen at 4 p.m. followed by the junior varsity and varsity. They will play host to Shepherd as well, which is tenatively set for Thursday Aug. 21.

Bridge City will crank up the season on the road at Liberty on Aug. 29. It will open District 21-3A play Oct. 10 at Hardin-Jefferson.

ORANGEFIELD

The Bobcats, who went 3-7 last year under coach Blake Morrison, will welcome back five starters on offense and a solid eight on defense.

The Bobcats will report Monday to the fieldhouse. Seniors and juniors will pick up their equipment at 3:30 p.m. followed by the freshmen and sophomores at 4 p.m. The Bobcats will immediately hit the practice field after equipment is issued out.

Orangefield has a tri-scrimmage scheduled in Vidor Saturday, Aug. 16 against Vidor and Kirbyville and will play host to Huffman Thursday, Aug. 21.

Orangefield will open its season at home Aug. 29 against Class 2A power East Chambers. The Bobcats start District 21-3A play Oct. 10 at Hamshire-Fannett.

VIDOR

The Pirates, who went 2-8 last year under long-time coach Jeff Mathews, return seven starters on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball.

The Pirates will pick up their equipment at 7:30 a.m. Monday and will hit the practice fields at 8 a.m. They will work out to about 12:20 p.m. with a couple breaks in between.

Vidor will host Orangefield and Kirbyville in a tri-scrimmage Aug. 16 and will welcome WO-S Aug. 22.

Vidor will open its season at home Aug. 29 against Beaumont Kelly. The Pirates start District 20-4A play Sept. 26 at Beaumont Central.

DEWEYVILLE

The Pirates, 4-6 a year ago, welcomes first-year head coach Russell McDaniel, who led New Diana to some playoff appearances.

McDaniel will have the luxury of having seven starters back on both sides of the ball.

The Pirates will report at 8 a.m. Monday. Once they get equipment they will hit the field and workout until 1:30 p.m. each day that first week in different intervals.

The Pirates will scrimmage Aug. 16 at Kirbyville and will host Hull-Daisetta Aug. 21.

The Pirates will entertain the Vinton Lions in their opener Aug. 29. They start District 23-2A play Sept. 26 at Anahuac.

LC-M

The Bears, who went 1-9 under fourth-year head coach Todd Moody, will wait another week to start practice after they had a successful spring practice. LC-M returns six starters on offense and two on defense.

The Bears will pick up equipment Monday, Aug. 11 at a.m. and then hit the practice fields.

LC-M has two scrimmages scheduled. The Bears will venture to Silsbee Aug. 23 with the freshmen starting at 9 a.m. followed by the JV and varsity and then they will welcome Baytown Lee Aug. 28 at Battlin’ Bear Stadium at 6 p.m.

The Bears will open their season on the road Sept. 5 at WO-S. LC-M opens up District 20-4A action Sept. 26 at Port Neches-Groves.

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Good luck to all.