The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Week ten of high school football action is underway and it’s coming down to the wire for some teams. This is the time of year when it’s clear if there is a team separating itself from the pack or if your team is caught in a struggle for it’s playoff life. We certainly have our break-away team, and there is definitely a lot at stake as it’s evident that some squads will certainly have a chance of crushing their counterparts post-season hopes all together.

The Bridge City Cardinals (4-4, 3-1) are riding a wave of momentum after defeating Hardin-Jefferson 13-0 last Friday. It was the Cardinals second win in a row and it was the Cards’ defense

that nailed down the victory holding the Hawks scoreless making it their second shut-out in a row. Coach Stump’s crew didn’t have the offensive explosion you’d hope for, but the Cardinals still got the job done when it was clutch-time. Quarterback Daniel Faulk threw for a score and running back Ashton Hunter had another good game rushing for 176 yards and a touchdown, both capitalizing off of key plays made by the defense.

This win put the Cards up in the district standings 3-1 which also makes their upcoming match-ups that much more meaningful. The Cardinals will hit the road versus WO-S this Friday at 7 p.m. in a contest where the Mustangs are heavily favored. A week later, they will have to face their arch-rival Orangefield Bobcats in the “Bayou Bowl.” Both of these games will be pivotal to the Cards’ playoff chances, especially if Bridge City goes down to West Orange-Stark this week.

Coach Thompson and the Mustangs (8-0, 3-0) are sitting tight and find themselves coasting off of a spree of wins. The Mustang defense has been a nightmare for offenses all season long, posting one shut-out after another on their way to an undefeated season thus far. Last week the Mustangs dismantled the Buna Cougars 40-0. While the defense was busy chasing fumbles, intercepting the ball and shutting down the Buna passing game entirely; it was the Jimmy Salter show on offense as he did a little bit of everything. Salter rushed for three scores on the ground and even found the time to toss in another one through the air. This Friday they will host Bridge City at 7 p.m.

Even though the Mustangs are running perfect, do not expect them to overlook a hungry Cardinal team with it’s own playoff aspirations. They will try to make their mark while remaining undefeated, and not to be outdone, the Bridge City Cardinals always play hard and would love to knock West Orange off of it’s high-horse.

The Little Cypress-Mauriceville Bears (4-4, 3-2) got another much needed victory over Lumberton last week 37-6. The Battlin’ Bear’s defense stuffed the Lumberton rushing attack all game long; recovering fumbles, and keeping their running yardage almost non-existent. Alex Sezer rushed for three touchdowns with 111 yards to go with it. This Friday the Bears will go out to play Beaumont Central on the road at 7:30 p.m., in a contest they should win.

Coach Josh Smalley and the Orangefield Bobcats (3-5, 2-2) are coming off of a bye week and it’s just in time to face a Buna Cougar squad who is coming into “Bobcat Country” battered after the 40-0 beating they received at the hands of the WO-S Mustangs. Coach Smalley knows exactly what’s at stake with it’s rival, Bridge City playing the Mustangs this week and also knows that a win against Buna and a BC loss could lead to one heck of a game against the Cardinals, with everything on the line. Expect Carl Wiley and the boys to be ramped up to deliver a statement game against the Cougars.

The Vidor Pirates (7-1, 5-1) also notched another district win against the PN-G Indians last week. The Pirates have been a force all year and have all but sewn up their division. They host Livingston this Friday at 7:30 p.m. and don’t expect the train to stop there. Vidor will have their high-impact rushing attack clicking by the time the whistle blows, leaving them one final contest against LC-M.

LCM Running Back #21 Alex Sezer dives into the end zone for his 3rd touchdown of the night against the Lumberton Raiders. RECORD PHOTO: Ty Manuel