Cards, Stump anxious for Liberty

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Cards, Stump anxious for Liberty

Gabriel Pruett

The Orange Leader

BRIDGE CITY — Bridge City Coach Cris Stump is used to setting his clock and waking up at around 6 a.m.

These days the alarm clock has stopped waking up the rookie head coach.

“These days I wake up myself,†Stump said. “I realize it is not six — it is four in the morning. Then I can’t go back to sleep.â€

Excuse Stump for being a little over-anxious these days as the Cardinals prepare for their first game against the Liberty Panthers.

“I am anxious and ready to go,†Stump added. “We are going to tee it up and see what happens.â€

Not only is it Stump’s first game but it is the first game for a ton of Cardinals as the Redbirds only house one returning starter, center Patrick Carlton.

The Cardinals themselves are excited and itching to tackle someone not in a red and white uniform. Besides two scrimmages, practices are built on taking on your teammates each and every day.

Friday will be the first opportunity for Cardinals’ fans to get a look at a new spread offense implemented by Stump and his coaching staff.

Bridge City is looking to recover from a graduation which took several key players with it.

Gone is All-District quarterback Johnny Dishon and his 1,178 yards rushing and 13 total touchdowns.

The Cardinals also lost five of their top receivers from a year ago who were led by Troy Bolton who hauled in 14 receptions for 192 yards before graduating.

“People keep walking up and asking if we are ready,†Stump said. “I know I am ready and the kids are too. Scrimmages are one thing and Friday nights are very different. I really believe we will react to the situation in a positive manner.â€

To prepare his troops for the Friday night experience Stump has tried to simulate game speed through practices.

“Finish practice faster than what you started,†Stump said has been the goal.

The players are asked to never walk when going between drills or heading off the field.

“We are getting better,†Stump added. “You can start to see all of a sudden the light switch is getting turned on around here.â€

The Cardinals oppoents, Liberty, is a playoff team from last year — even though the Panthers lost 60-0 to the West Orange-Stark Mustangs.

Liberty went 4-7 overall last year and 3-2 in District 22-3A.

Bridge City downed Liberty 24-20 a year ago in Liberty.

“They have several kids back and are expecting to do things well,†Stump said. “They are expecting to come here and set a tone for their season. That is what everyone wants to do in the first game. Every year this is a close game from what I seen.

“It will be exciting and everyone will be fired up, including me.â€

       

[ALLABOUTSTATE4BC09]

Yeah The Cardinals are ready!!.. The crowd needs to get real loud tonight and help are young men during this game....!!!