The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

There was no question this time who should be in the playoffs. The Bridge City Cardinal revenged last year’s loss to the Orangefield Bobcats, bringing the Buzzie Gunn trophy back to BC with a victory in the Bayou Bowl, 34-0. With this win the Cardinals advance to the first round of the state playoffs. The game will be Saturday at 6:00 pm, in Barbers Hill, facing the undefeated and No. 3 state ranked Coldspring Trojans.

The Bridge City Cardinals got right down to business against the Bobcats. They took their opening drive and marched down the field, capping it off on a one yard TD run by Matt Menard. Daniel Faulk made the score 7-0 with 9:25 in the first quarter, after his extra point. Not only did the offense have a good start, but the defense got things started early, on their way to their second shutout of the year.

A big stop from Zach Cole and a fumble recovery from Cameron Coulter got the ball back to the Cardinals on the Bobcats first drive.

Menard took over on the second Cardinal drive, and on a 3rd & 6, he picked up the first down with a 20 yard run.

A few plays later he would score on a 25 yard run.

Faulk did his job, extending the score to 14-0 with 2:10 left in the first.

The defense stopped the Bobcats on their second series with another turnover.

Cardinal safety Mitchel Hubbard dove and picked off Wesley Ackerman’s pass, giving the ball back to his offense.

No one scored in the second quarter, with the ball going back and forth to each team.

The teams would head in for the break with the Cardinals up 14-0.

In the third quarter the Cardinals defense would force an Orangefield punt on their first series, giving the Cardinals the ball on the 18 yard line. Hunter Clark would bust out for a 60 yard run, down to the Orangefield 16 yard line. Menard would then hit Tanner Cervenka for another first down, before he marched in for the touchdown, on a four yard score. After Faulk’s PAT, the score was 21-0 with 5:21 left in the third. The defense stiffened up again, taking the ball back on downs, allowing for another scoring drive for the Cardinals. Clark added another big run, this time finding the end zone with a 51 yard TD run. With 15 seconds left in the third, Faulk made it 28-0.

The Cardinals would put their final scoring drive together after another defensive stand, getting the ball back on downs. With 4:43 left to play in the game Menard would score his fourth rushing touchdown of the game, an 11 yard run, bringing the final score to 34-0. The defense would keep their shutout intact, taking the ball back on downs. Orangefield would get the ball back on a fumble, but Tyler Roberts would make sure the shutout stood, when he picked off a pass late in the game. Bridge City would run out the clock for the victory.

Matt Menard had another huge day with 150 yard rushing on 21 carries and 4 touchdown. He was also 6 for 10 in the passing department for 68 yards. Hunter Clark had 174 yard rushing on 11 totes and a touchdown. Ashton Hunter had 16 yards on 4 carries, and Tyler Robert had 1 carry for 5 yards. In the receiving department, Tanner Cervenka had three catches for 32 yards. Cameron Dishon had 2 catches for 29 yards and Roberts had 1 catch for 7 yards.

There are a lot of teams that don’t make it to the playoffs. Let take advantage of this time and back our Cardinals. It was another great day to watch great high school football, the best band and cheerleaders in the area, and how about those STRUTTERS.