LC-M Seeks Winning Start

[KFDM COOP]

Bears seek winning start

Gabriel Pruett

The Orange Leader

LITTLE CYPRESS — No matter what happens with the score tonight, Battlin’ Bears fans have the assurance from Little Cypress-Mauriceville Coach Todd Moody of one thing.

The Bears are going to play hard and play with pride.

It starts tonigh at 7 p.m. at Battlin’ Bear Stadium against Conroe Caney Creek.

In just three years at the helm in LC-M Moody and the Bears have made strides in establishing a winning program fans can be proud of.

LC-M went 5-5 a year ago and 4-3 in District 22-4A play just missing the playoffs, a spot the Bears have not been in since 1997.

Moody is looking to change not only the playoff drought but the way LC-M fans participate in the action.

“It is fun to see the excitement our fans have for this team,†Moody said. “There has been a lot of excitement and that is what you want for your program. We wanted to build the pride here and we are still in the process of developing it. This is what happens and I am very proud.â€

To see the program start to make the turn in three years has not surprised the third-year coach.

“People want to be a part of something growing,†Moody added. “All the ingreidents a progam needs is right here and it starts with the people. They love to see how the kids work hard. Our fans know the kids are going to be ready to play with pride and to play hard. A team is going to have to play even harder to beat us.â€

Caney Creek was such a team last season getting past LC-M 21-12 in Conroe.

“They went to the playoffs last season and have a returning quarterback that can move around,†Moody said. “They will be a good test for us right out of the gate. Caney Creek is exactly what you want in an opponent for a first game.â€

The Panthers are led by quarterback Joe Simmons who is listed to run a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash. He rushed for over a 1,000 yards last year and threw for another 700 yards with 14 total touchdowns.

“Everyone is 0-0,†Moody added. “We are very excited to start the season and the bottomline is nobody knows much about their team. Our kids are looking forward to the game but you can always expect there will be some first game mistakes.

“Our kids are not cocky heading into the season but feel they are prepared and are going to perform well. The No. 1 thing is we have gotten better with each week and that is what you look for. They have responded and made all the corrections we have asked them to make.’