KFDM COOP Posted October 2, 2008 Report Posted October 2, 2008 Cardinals expect emotional game, win Gabriel Pruett The Orange Leader BRIDGE CITY — It will be a feel-good story when the Bridge City Cardinals run out on the field at Red Devil Stadium in Huntington tonight. It could very well be the feel-good story in the state of Texas. The Cardinals (1-1) return to football action just under three weeks after Hurricane Ike tore through Bridge City leaving many residents without a house to call home. Bridge City will face Huntington at 7:30 p.m. in the Cardinals first football game since Sept. 5, a 28-26 loss to Kountze. The Red Devils lost 21-14 last Friday to New Waverly. Redbirds Coach Cris Stump knows it will be an emotional scene when the Cardinals tear through the introduction sign for the first time, but after that Stump expects a win. “From the start of the season I have told the kids the next game is the most important game,†Stump said. “Last week was practicing just to get out there. This week has been a regular game week and we have had pretty good workouts.†The Cardinals had 45 players return for the first practice last Thursday and had near 60 on Wednesday. The trip to Huntington, which is about 10 miles away from Lufkin, will take a little extra time for players and fans but Stump does not think it will matter. “We are hoping for a pretty good crowd,†Stump said. “This will give people a chance to get away just for a little bit and watch the Cardinals play football. “We want to win and the kids understand that. If you are going to do the work, you might as well do it to win.†BCISD is ready to provide buses to Red Devil Stadium for BC fans. Residents can call 697-3236 to reserve a seat. The Cardinals have been led by their offense so far in 2008. Junior running back Joe Robertson has carried the football 26 times for 191 yards and three touchdowns. Junior quarterback Josh Lemoine has rushed for 126 on 27 carries with a score while also throwing for 301 yards and five touchdowns. Lemoine is 16-for-37 passing with one interception. A host of Cardinals have over two receptions each with Cory Moseley and Luke Rhodes each have four. Moseley has 62 yards with two scores while Rhodes has 23 yards. Jerry Landry has hauled in three receptions for 93 yards and two scores. Both Robertson and Dustin Breaux each have two receptions. The Cardinals offense is averaging 309 yards and 29 points a game. Bridge City’s defensive numbers took a shot up after the Kountze game who rushed for 360 yards. The Cardinals are giving up 369.5 yards and 24 points a game, still a great improvement from 2007. “Huntington offensively runs a lot of shotgun formations,†Stump said. “They have a big quarterback and a running back and wide receiver who can hurt you. On defense they have a couple linebackers who move around well. “I expect we will be a little rusty. We still have to go out and improve on our last game. I really don’t know what to expect after having three weeks off but I do expect them to play hard and play to win this game.†If the Cardinals do pull it off, a fairy tale ending will cap off an already emotional story.
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