Local teams clinch playoff spots in Week 9

The 2024 high school football season has been a good one for Orange County and, with two weeks remaining, could see several of these teams claims district titles in the process. Bridge City, Little Cypress-Mauriceville, Orangefield and West Orange-Stark have already clinched playoff spots in their respective districts and are now looking to finalize seedings.

Bears drops Cards from unbeaten ranks

The Little Cypress-Mauriceville Battlin' Bears claimed a 21-18 win over the Bridge City Cardinals this past Friday night and, in the process, remained in a first place tie for the district lead while knocking the Cardinals from the ranks of unbeaten teams in the state.

LC-M got on the scoreboard late in the first quarter when Jonah Fuller scored on a 5-yard run to give the Bears a 7-0 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

The Cardinals finally got on the scoreboard just before halftime as Kasen Watts kicked a 27-yard field goal to the Bears lead to 7-3 at the break.

In the second-half, LC-M extended its lead to 14-3 when Dreyden Cook recovered the ball in the end zone, but 90 seconds later Ashton Sumrall scored a 39-yard touchdown run for the Cardinals. Following the two point conversion, Bridge City trailed 14-11.

Bridge City took the lead, 18-14, with 7:49 to play in the game when quarterback Hutch Bearden connected on a 32-yard pass to Austin Bellanger, but it was the Bears who scored last and won the game when quarterback Braylon Lewis connected on a 11-yard scoring pass to Evan Worster with 3:04 remaining.

The Bears (6-2, 5-0) have another big test this Friday as LC-M travels to Huffman to take on the undefeated Huffman-Hargrave Falcons (8-0, 5-0). It will be a fanstastic matchup of strengths as the Bears defense only allows 13 points per contest in District 10-4A Division 1, while the Falcons offense is averaging a staggering 59 points per game during district play.

Depending on what happens in this game, the Bears could claim the No. 1 see for the district or, with a loss, be forced to see what happens in the Week 11 game between Huffman-Hargrave and Bridge City.

Bridge City (7-1, 4-1) is back on the road this week to take on the Liberty Panthers (1-4, 1-7).

Mustangs crush Silsbee for big win

A battle between district titans turned into a demolition as the West Orange-Stark Mustangs shut out the defending district champion Silsbee Tigers, 35-0, this past Friday night in Silsbee.

The Mustangs jumped on the Tigers quickly and lead 14-0 at the end of the first quarter and 28-0 at halftime before coasting to a 35-0 victory.

WO-S quarterback Marcus Turner Jr. dominated the Tigers as he threw for three touchdowns on the night, while the Mustangs defense kept the Tigers offense off balance all night.

WO-S (7-1, 3-0) will return to Dan R. Hooks Stadium this Friday to take on the Tarkington Longhorns (1-7, 0-3). The Week 11 game against the Hamshire-Fannett Longhorns looms large as the winner should claim the District 9-4A Division 2 championship.

Bobcats await first place battle

The Orangefield Bobcats were on a well-earned and perfectly timed bye week this past Friday as a first-place showdown awaits this week.

The Bobcats (6-2, 4-0) will host East Chambers (6-2, 4-1) in what amounts to a battle for the District 10-3A Division 1 title. The Buccaneers are on a bye in Week 11, so the winner will earn the No. 1 see for the playoffs.

East Chambers, which is playing a nine game schedule this season, defeated Kirbyville, 52-14, this past Friday.The Buccaneers sole district loss was to Anahuac, 53-48, in Week 7.

Both teams have clinched playoff berths already and are now playing for the district championship and positioning.

Pirates pummel Panthers for homecoming win

Liberty started the scoring with a 43-yard field goal early in the first quarter, but it was all Vidor Pirates after that as the Pirates claimed a 55-17 victory on homecoming for the team's second consecutive win.

Vidor lead 20-3 after the first quarter courtesy of a 31-yard touchdown run by Daigan Venable and a 3-yard run by Riley Marlow, plus a pick six interception return by the defense. Marlow added a 2-yard touchdown run in the second to put Vidor ahead 28-3 at halftime.

In the third quarter, Landon Jones scored on a three-yard run and Venable scored on a 2-yard run. Bloss added a 2-yard run in the fourth quarter, while Kolt Holden had a 1-yard rushing touchdown. Liberty added two scores late in the fourth quarter for the final scores.

The Pirates generated 476 yards of total offense, while holding the Panthers to just 112 total yards.

Vidor (3-5, 2-3) currently sits in fourth place in District 10-4A Division 1 and control its own destiny. The Pirates host Hardin-Jefferson (3-5, 1-4) this week.