Bears, Pirates eager for 20-4A encounter

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Bears, Pirates eager for 20-4A encounter
Van Wade
The Orange Leader

VIDOR — While one team is relishing its biggest comeback in school history, the other looks to bounce back from a tough road loss.

That will be the case tonight when the Vidor Pirates welcome the Little Cypress-Mauriceville to Pirate Stadium for Homecoming.

The Bears (3-4, 1-3) rallied from a 35-7 deficit with 4:53 left in the third quarter to defeat Livingston 49-41 last week while the Pirates (5-2, 2-2) dropped a tough 35-13 decision to Port Neches-Groves (7-0, 4-0), which is tied with Beaumont Central (6-1, 4-0) for first in the District 20-4A standings.

The Bears are still thrilled with their emotional win over Livingston.

“It was a tremendous effort by our kids,” said Bear coach Randy Crouch. “Down 35-7, they didn’t show one ounce of quit in them. You always want to teach about playing four full quarters and play to the end and the kids did just that. I was extremely proud of them.”

Meanwhile, Vidor coach Jeff Mathews is looking for his senior-laden Pirate team to bounce back.

“Last week was a tough one but I think the kids will shrug it off and they’ve worked hard in practice all week,” said Mathews. “They know that they control their own destiny and they know they’re in for a tough battle against LC-M.”

The Bears can’t hang their hats on that victory for long as they prepare for what will be some “angry” Pirates.

“Last week was one to remember, but the kids need to put that aside this week because we’re facing some pretty tough customers,” said Crouch. “Vidor was the preseason favorite to win our district and Coach Mathews does a wonderful job over there. There’s no secret to them, they’re big up front and they pound the ball at you with three or four good backs. This might be our toughest physical challenge yet.”

Mathews has bee impressed with the Bears as well.

“Coach Crouch and his staff have done an amazing job this year and you just knew that was going to happen,” said Mathews. “The Bears compete hard and compete hard for four quarters. They’ve shown that all season, especially against a solid Livingston team last week. That was just incredible.”

The Pirates own 20-4A’s top-ranked offense, averaging 380 yards a game, 335.8 of it coming via the ground.

Running back Shayne Pitman continues his quest for 1,000 yards as he leads the Pirates with 891 yards and 10 touchdowns on 135 carries. Kevin Tate has 557 yards and nine TDs on 83 touches and Jacob Peevey has bulldozed his way to 520 yards and five TDs on 80 totes. The Pirates will face a Bear defense that allows 333.3 yards a game.

The Bears piled up 375 yards in their win over Livingston and are averaging 273.7 yards a contest.

Quarterback Hunter Gonzalez 20-4A’s second leading passer with 1,085 yards on 103-of-184 passes and has five TD tosses.

Receiver Zack Sonnier leads 20-4A with 49 catches for 566 yards and five TDs. Johnny Epps has 23 grabs for 225 yards and a score. Tevvin Jones paces the Bear ground game with 438 yards and three TDs on 70 carries while Gonzalez has 240 yards and nine TDs on 109 totes.

“LC-M seems to get better and better on offense and what’s scary is that they’re all so young still,” said Mathews. “The Gonzalez kid is as tough of a competitor as it gets. We’re going to have to buckle down in the secondary and try to wrap up those guys and try not to give up those big plays.”

The Pirates own 20-4A’s second-ranked defense, one that allows 259.6 yards per outing.