Bridge City Cardinals Knock Off No-4 Newton Eagles 18-13

PHOTO: Bridge City middle linebacker Derick Dearing forces a crucial fumble recovery in the second quarter. RECORD PHOTO: Mark Dunn

Staff Report-For The Record

The Bridge City Cardinals beat the No. 4-ranked Newton Eagles 18-13 on Friday night at Larry B. Ward Stadium in Bridge City.

The Cardinals utilized a stifling defense to stop the always-explosive Newton offense, limiting the Eagles to just two touchdowns.

At the same time, the Cardinals offense attacked the gut of the Newton defense for 196 yards on the ground and 31 in the air. Cayce Draper led the Cardinals offense with 139 yards on 15 carries with two touchdowns, while Camden DuBois added 34 yards on 15 carries with a TD and 31 yards passing.

Bridge City, now 2-0, scored first on a Draper 4-yard run with 7:57 left in the second quarter, giving the Cards a 6-0 lead after a failed point after kick attempt.

The Eagles answered quickly, roaring down the field to score at the 5:50 mark of the second quarter on a 9-yard run by Gabe Foster for a 7-6 lead.

Bridge City scored again before the end of the first half when DuBois crossed from 2 yards out for a 12-7 lead with 1:30 left.

The Cards added the insurance points in the third, using up nearly half of the quarter as Draper crossed from the 2 yard line for an 18-7 lead.

The Eagles finally responded in the fourth quarter when they scored on a run by Foster from the 2 yard line. A two-point conversion run was stopped cold by the Cards defense.

With just 1:29 left in the game, Newton ran out of time after a failed onside kick attempt.