Young Cardinals Growing With Stump's Philosophy

[Bobcatfan4life]

Young Cardinals growing with Stump's philosophy

Van Wade

The Orange Leader

BRIDGE CITY — Everything is pretty much new in ‘Cardinal Country†these days.

First-year Bridge City Athletic Director and head football coach Cris Stump likes what he sees in a hungry young Cardinal team.

The Cardinals return just three starters off last year’s 6-4 unit. Coach Stump is also implementing a new twist to the offense. Bridge City, which has owned a more run-oriented offense in recent years, will open up a more potent passing game.

“We’ve got a tremendous amount of kids that will be hitting the varsity field for the first time and there is a lot of difference as far as playing on Thursday and Friday goes,’ Stump said at practice Tuesday. “We’re trying hard to gain some experience out here this week so we can even be considered young. I heard Orangefield coach Blake Morrison say one time that they take the kids to get a Happy Meal at McDonalds after practice. We’re young, but not quite that young.â€

The Cardinals got a nice look at what Coach Stump brings to the table when he arrived in early spring when he replaced former AD Claude Tarver.

“Everything is still new to them,†Stump said. They saw some of the new ideas back in the spring, now it’s all about adjusting and learning the system even better.â€

A good reception in June and July also was a big help.

“We have a lot of kids that want to succeed and achieve,†Stump said. “We had a very good turnout during the summer as far as the weightroom and running was concerned.â€

The Cardinals have been working out from 8 a.m.-9:30 a.m. and from about 10:30 a.m.-noon each day.

“It’s been quite warm,†joked Stump. “But, hey, it’s August and we’re in Southeast Texas. That’s to be expected and we all have to suck it up because it’s never easy.â€

The first Cardinal practice went very smooth Monday.

“We’re going to have a lot of kids that will be playing both ways,†Stump said. “So, we’ve been working the JV in a lot with the varsity. Like, our first practice session we’ll have the varsity offense going against the JV defense and then in the next session, we’ll flip it around. Today, we’re doing kinda the same thing but we’re also looking at our special teams today too.â€

The Cardinals’ first scrimmage will be Aug. 18 at Anahuac with the freshmen starting at 9 a.m. followed by the JV and varsity. Bridge City will host Little Cypress-Mauriceville in a scrimmage Aug. 23 with tentative times set for 5 p.m. beginning with the freshmen followed by the JV and varsity.

The Cardinals will begin non-district play by hosting Liberty Aug. 31. Bridge City also plays Lumberton and Beaumont Kelly in non-district play before opening up the District 21-3A campaign with a road trip to Sour Lake to take on the Hardin-Jefferson Hawks.â€

[Guest Bulldog]

Good luck Coach Stump.....give'm hell......

[KFDM COOP]

Anyone with the last name Stump can coach!!!!

[KFDM COOP]

http://www.panews.com/sports/local_story_222223400.html?keyword=topstory

[cardinal81o7]

wish i could have played for that guy

[ALLABOUTSTATE4BC09]

the Bridge Cit Youngster's looked sharp today with those uni's...