New expectations In Bridge City

[KFDM COOP]

New expectations

Cardinals raise bar in 2009

Gabriel Pruett

The Orange Leader

BRIDGE CITY — There is a lot to be excited about this year in Bridge City.

Third-year coach Cris Stump hopes the excitement and expectations translate into wins for the Cardinals in 2009.

The Cardinals went 4-4 a year ago and also dealt with Hurricane Ike unlike any school in Orange County.

The road to recovery is still motoring on for players and coaches and this year a strong returning cast has Cardinal Country looking for the playoffs.

“We expect to be in the playoffs,†Stump said Wednesday. “I could not say that last year and certainly not the year before. It feels great to say we will be in the mix and now we have to go out as players and coaches and make it happen.â€

A lot changed last year for the Cardinals.

A 4-4 record came only a year after Bridge City went 0-10.

The Cardinals defense in 2007 gave up 500.2 yards and 53.9 points a game.

Bridge City showed major improvements in both areas in 2008 with 311.3 yards and 20 points given up a game.

The Cardinals on offense, which put up 292 yards and 20.5 points a game in 2008, were led by quarterback Josh Lemoine.

Lemoine was 68-for-143 passing for 1,053 yards with eight touchdowns and five interceptions. Lemoine ran for 351 yards and six scores.

Sophomore-to-be Matt Menard led all Cardinals running backs with 537 yards on 85 carries and four touchdowns. Menard came in just about halfway through the season for the injured Joe Robertson.

“We have more expectations this year for ourselves,†Stump said. “We talked all spring about raising the bar and all the other clichés that go with that. The players have really been focused in on that and the younger guys even want it now. That is a good thing.â€

The Cardinals will scrimmage at Lumberton Aug. 15 starting at 6 p.m. and will also scrimmage at Shepherd Aug. 20.

Bridge City opens the season at home Aug. 28 against Liberty.

“Every town in the state is fired up at this point and thinking playoffs,†Stump said. “We want to still be fired up during Week 10.â€

The Bridge City Cardinals are pledging to raise the bar this season and capture one of the three playoff spots out of District 21-3A.  Gabriel Pruett/The Orange Leader

[venom33]

i heard you guys lost caleb kellogg(sp?) is this true? wasnt he suppose to be a big part of the offense?

[Guest freddy]

not really, more in baseball

[Cardinal Supporter]

What happened to Caleb?

[venom33]

What happened to Caleb?

i heard he moved back to la...

[BCcardbacker]

i heard you guys lost caleb kellogg(sp?) is this true? wasnt he suppose to be a big part of the offense?

His name was given by coaches to Dave Campbell's magazine and was one of the players to watch..............................so they apparently thought he was going to be.

Did Caleb go back to Dequincy? 

[MIF04]

Caleb committed to ULL to play baseball.  As a LA resident, he also qualifies for TOPPS funding that will cover what his scholarship won't.

[BCcardbacker]

Well congrats to Caleb!  Makes sense why he would go back to DQ, but I know the guys on the baseball team sure hate to hear he will no longer be a Cardinal! 

Good luck to Caleb tho we will miss ya!

[sport777]

Josh Lemoine threw more interceptions than TD's last year.  He had a couple in more than 1 game.