KFDM COOP Posted October 1, 2009 Report Posted October 1, 2009 Bears facing stern Central test Van Wade The Orange Leader BEAUMONT — Being “road warriors†for the third of four straight weeks, the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Bears look to go to Beaumont’s Babe Zaharias Stadium tonight and battle the explosive Beaumont Central Jaguars toe-to-toe. The Bears (2-2, 0-1) took Port Neches-Groves (4-0, 1-0) to the brink at The Reservation last Friday before falling 27-20. “The kids really played hard against Port Neches,†said Bear coach Randy Crouch. “We got down a bit to them but when it got tough, the kids rose up and made things tight. They made things happen and made a late charge. They showed tremendous effort and that’s what you love to see.†Central (3-1, 1-0) has to be emotionally tired after beating Vidor (3-1, 0-1) 578-56 in two grueling overtimes. The Jaguars returned just two starters from last year’s squad that went four-deep in the playoffs but first-year coach Andrew Washington has done an excellent job early on with the program. “Central is the toughest team we’ve faced yet as far as size and speed and depth,†said Crouch. “They can come at you in waves.†Central quarterback Donte Wilkerson has completed 32-of-61 passes for 359 yards and five touchdowns. Keith O’Neal leads the ground arsenal with 355 yards and four TDs on 55 carries. Nijel Daw has 310 yards and three TDs on 42 totes. Those two combined for 254 yards and four TDs in the win over Vidor. “Central has a few kids that once they find some daylight, they’re gone,†said Crouch. “You just can’t key on one guy here and one guy there, they’ve got some horses. We’re going to have to wrap them up and wrap them up well and not allow those big plays that they’re so capable of.†The Jaguars piled up 427 yards in the win over Vidor but the Pirates’ ground game chewed up Central’s defense for 469 yards, 430 of it coming on the ground. “Central runs to the ball well defensively,†said Crouch. “Offensively, we’ve got to take what they give us. We can’t turn the ball over. We’re going to have to be patient and try to sustain some nice drives.†The Bears have moved the ball well through the air. Quarterback Hunter Gonzalez has completed 57-of-104 passes for 645 yards and three TDs. His main target has been 20-4A’s leading receiver Zack Sonnier, who has 26 catches for 339 yards and three TDs. Johnny Epps, who has played a large role in the return game, has 17 grabs for 131 yards. Tevvin Jones leads the ground attack with 245 yards on 47 carries and two TDs while Gonzalez has 129 yards and five TDs.
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