Battlin' Bears on the brink

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Battlin' Bears on the brink

Gabriel Pruett

The Orange Leader

LITTLE CYPRESS — The Little Cypress-Mauriceville Battlin’ Bears were hard at work Monday and preparing for what will be a long hard road through the 2007 football season.

The Bears, who were 5-5 last season, began practice on Monday and coaches and players alike showed an intensity level of a team knowing the playoffs are a strong possibility.

LC-M had a strong workout participation this summer and returning starting quarterback President Driver could not be more excited.

“All the kids got fired up over the summer,†Driver said. “We had a great summer. All the players are ready for the race.â€

Driver knows the Bears have a lot to prove this season after going 4-3 last year in the District 22-4A race.

It has been a long time since the Bears tasted the playoffs with the last being in 1997 when LC-M lost 41-20 to La Marque in the Class 4A Division II state quarterfinals.

This season will be Coach Todd Moody’s third year at the helm and each year has seen an improvement.

The Bears went 2-6 in Moody’s first year before going 5-5 last season which was highlighted by a 42-0 over the Port Neches-Groves Indians. LC-M followed that shutout up with a 33-0 blanking of Beaumont Ozen.

“It feels great to be back out on the field,†Driver said. “Right now we are just focusing on getting back in the groove and working out in this heat. We have a lot to prove this year. A lot of people say we can make the playoffs and that is what we are shooting for. I like our chances. We have to play like the team we are and we will surprise some people. It is going to take a lot of hard work from a lot of people.â€