Bears know their 'lines' this season

[KFDM COOP]

Bears know their 'lines' this season

Van Wade The Orange Leader

LITTLE CYPRESS — This year, the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Battlin’ Bears definitely are on solid footing after picking up Coach Randy Crouch’s system during his first year last year.

The Bears made tremendous strides in 2009, going 4-6 and ending a 16-game losing streak.

With seven starters back on both sides of the ball and most of their skill people back, the Bears will try to make noise in a rugged District 20-4A.

Early practices this week have really set the tone.

“The kids have really responded well this week,” said Crouch. “It’s not like they have to learn a new playbook this time around. We’re adding a few new wrinkles and changing up a few things here and there, but we’re basically running the same stuff.”

The first week of practice is always challenging.

“The kids came in in pretty decent shape,” said Crouch. “Of course, that first week, it’s all about getting in better condition. It’s definitely been hot but I think we have a water station every three feet. We’ve got some kids that are looking really good in drills. Tomorrow (Friday) is when it really all counts, lacing up those pads for the first time. A lot of kids can look good in shorts, tomorrow, things could change.”

LC-M has two road scrimmages set. The Bears will face Brazoswood at Deer Park Stadium Saturday, Aug. 14 with the freshmen starting at 5 p.m. followed by the JV (6 p.m.) and the varsity (7 p.m.). LC-M will then venture to Silsbee Thursday, Aug. 19 with the freshmen starting at 5 p.m. followed by the JV (6 p.m.) and the varsity (7 p.m.). LC-M will be the first Orange County team to start the season as the Bears will take on Goose Creek Memorial Thursday, Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. at Baytown’s Stallworth Stadium.

“We have two excellent scrimmages,” said Crouch. “Brazoswood went four rounds deep in the Class 5A playoffs and reached the regional finals. They’re big and physical and like to push folks around so they’ll be good for us. Silsbee, everyone knows how tough they are and they have a lot of key folks back and will run that spread of theirs. We’re going to be tested early and often. The kids are ready to compete and we really like the group that we have. They’re all willing to learn and are really coachable and you’ve gotta love that.”

West Orange-Stark will look to improve on last year’s 8-3 mark and trip to the playoffs.

The Mustangs will visit Dayton Saturday, Aug. 14 with the freshmen starting at 5 p.m. in followed by the JV (6 p.m.) and varsity (7 p.m.) in their first scrimmage. WO-S will host Vidor Thursday, Aug. 19 at Hooks Stadium with the freshmen starting at 5 p.m. followed by the JV (6 p.m.) and varsity (7 p.m.).

WO-S opens the season on the road against old 4A rival Nederland Aug. 27. Then its off to Friendswood to face a 4A program that made it to the Region III Finals a year ago on Sept. 3. After a week break, the Mustangs welcome old nemesis Jasper to Hooks Stadium (Sept. 17). Next up will be 3A power Giddings Sept. 25 in Conroe and WO-S will wrap up their non-district slate with Kirbyville Oct 2 at home. Kirbyville has been the state runnerup in Class 2A Division I the last two seasons before moving back up to 3A this year.

The Vidor Pirates, who made the playoffs out of 20-4A last year with a 7-4 finish, scrimmage the Orangefield Bobcats at 9 a.m. August 14 and then face the WO-S Mustangs at 6 p.m. Aug. 19.

The Bridge City Cardinals, who made the playoffs as the third-place squad out of District 21-3A last year with a 7-4 mark, will scrimmage at home against Lumberton Aug. 14 with the freshmen and JV starting at 9 a.m. followed by the varsity at 10 a.m.  Bridge City will then venture to Jasper for a scrimmage Aug. 19 with the time yet to be determined. Bridge City will open its 2010 campaign at home Aug. 27 against Shepherd.

The Orangefield Bobcats, 4-6 a year ago in Coach Brian Huckabay’s first season, scrimmages Vidor at 9 a.m. Aug. 14 and Huffman Aug. 19 with the location and time to be determined.

The Deweyville Pirates will look to improve on their 1-9 season a year ago.

The Pirates will scrimmage at Hamshire-Fannett Aug. 14 at 11 a.m. and will host Buna in a scrimmage Aug. 20. Deweyville will open its season Aug. 27 at home against Sabine Pass.

[bojonomore]

Why is everybody's first scrimmage on a Saturday?

[DaBears]

First scrimmage is on a sat. because that is the first day that the UIL allows them.