Gabriel Pruett
CNHI
BRIDGE CITY —
BRIDGE CITY — Bridge City coach Cris Stump told a lot of reporters and fans this offseason Matt Menard would do fine as the new quarterback of the Cardinals.
Menard keeps on making Stump look like a smart man.
Menard and the Cardinals dismantled the visiting Vidor Pirates Friday 31-13 at Larry B. Ward Stadium.
“He is pretty good,” Stump said of Menard. “Nobody was believing me when I said he can do it and now he is making me look pretty smart.”
Menard rushed for 130 yards and a touchdown and was 8-for-15 passing for 134 yards with a 31-touchdown strike to Cameron Dishon.
“That’s a big win,” Menard said. “ It has been a long time since we were 2-0. It feels great to bring Bridge City back the way it used to be and how it should be.”
The Cardinals got off to a quick start Friday with two touchdowns before the end of the first quarter.
The first touchdown did not take long as Menard ran the opening kickoff back 49 yards down to the Pirates’ 41-yard line. Four plays later Hunter Clark found the endzone from 25 yards out and Devin Bertrand made it 7-0 with a PAT.
Bridge City struck again on its next possession for a second touchdown. Dishon hauled in a 31-yard touchdown reception from Menard. Dishon was untouched down the middle of the field until he dove for the endzone. Bertrand’s kick made it 14-0.
Dishon had five catches for 105 yards in the game.
“Cameron makes it pretty easy to be a quarterback,” Menard said. “What makes it even easier is our offensive line. Those guys give me great protection. I never feel hurried in the game.”
Vidor’s rushing style proved to be effective all night, yet it meant the clock continued to roll in the second half as Bridge City led 17-7 at the break.
Menard scored the Cardinals’ first touchdown of the second half, this time as a running back.
Colby Carpenter was under center with Menard behind him as a running back. Menard was too tough to bring down and scored from a yard out. Bertrand made it 24-7.
Vidor started its next drive with 6:14 left in the third and did not score until 11:20 remained in the game.
The drive was 15 plays and ended with Brentyn Clark scoring from five yards out. Jacob Jeanise kicked the PAT to make it 24-14.
Josh Ozio all locked up the game for Bridge City with a 48-yard interception return with 59 seconds left on the clock.
Clark had scored the Pirates’ first touchdown. It came in the second quarter and was a 10-yard run. Clark led the Pirates with 94 yards rushing.
Even though Vidor rushed for 294 yards, the Cardinals defense was flying around the field and hitting harder than any Bridge City team seen in the last four years.
“Our defense is hitting people and the best part is they are young,” Menard said. “They are young and now they will keep building on this win. I am glad I’m on their side because I don’t want to go up against those guys.”
David Smallwood also found rushing success against Bridge City with 12 carries for 79 yards.
The Cardinals travel to face Beaumont Kelly next week while the Pirates are on the road at Kirbyville. The Wildcats defeated the Newton Eagles, 41-6 Friday night.
