The Lions have begun district play in a 0-2 hole, dropping a 38-35 heartbreaker to Liberty in the final second Friday on a 48-yard field goal. They will look to rebound against the defending district champions.
Despite missing their starting quarterback, Livingston was still able to move the ball consistently. Tyler Soza was unable to play, forcing Roper Wood and Brayden Carr into the spotlight. Each were effective, throwing a touchdown pass and staying in front of the chains for the most part. It has not been announced whether Soza will be ready in time for Friday, but the team is preparing for anything.
“We’ve got to get multiple kids ready for these games,” Livingston coach Tucker Carter said.
The coach said his team has been able to put the most recent contest behind them, and begin work for Little Cypress-Mauriceville.
“All the pressure is off now, so we are playing with house money,” Carter said. “We can put one together and feel good about it. It is always a psychological game when you are trying to build them up and make it a fun environment. The bottom line is the kids and the disappointment on their faces on Friday, and everyone showed up Monday ready to put it past them in a weight room session.”
The Bears began 2025 with a 0-3 mark, navigating a difficult non-district schedule. In two district Fridays, they have defeated Vidor (60-37) and Hardin-Jefferson (17-14).
“Their quarterback is mobile, and they’ve got some kids that are really dynamic. We have to know where they are at all times, and they are well coached. There is a reason they won district last year and the kids play hard. We know that they are going to give effort. We have to match that. I don’t think last week was because of effort, it was just a couple of plays with execution here and there. We are moving some puzzle pieces around and we will see how that fits on Friday.”
Held to an average of 13 points per game in all contests except Vidor, the Bears can be defended. Yet, LC-M exploded for 60 versus the Pirates, and Livingston opponents have averaged 36.
“They do a great job of getting their best players the ball,” Carter said of the Bears. “Like every good offensive coordinator, they will line them up in a lot of places and try to get the ball to the play makers. They do a good job week to week of adjusting their base concepts to try to get your eyes wrong. It will
be a tall task.”
On defense, Little Cypress will base with four down linemen. They have surrendered an average of 28 points each game.
“I feel like they are battle tested. They played a couple of games when their quarterback went down and stayed in the game. They play with good effort and they know how to win games when they need to. They are 2-0 in district and playing well, so they are not going to roll over. They are going to make you earn it. We have got to sustain some drives.”
Livingston used screens, jet sweeps and quick comeback routes to keep pressure off the quarterbacks and get the ball in skill players’ hands. The emergence of running back Jose Olivares and holes cleared by the offensive line kept the sticks moving for much of Friday’s game versus Liberty.
Olivares toted the ball 11 times for 171 yards, taking advantage of the hard work his offensive line put in.
“Just like any offense, we are trying to make it look different. Our offensive line is getting better and better every week. We really leaned on them in crunch time. We just have to focus on not turning it over and staying on the field as long as we possibly can to give ourselves a shot.”
Liberty defensive backs matched Livingston wide receivers in single coverage most of the night, giving eight to 10 yards of cushion on many plays. The Lions may need to get creative in getting wide receivers even more involved to take defenders out of the box, allowing the run game to continue its success.
“We have to be a little more consistent at quarterback, knowing where those receivers are going to be, and putting a good, catchable football on them. We left some meat on the bone in that area.”
The absence of Soza allowed an opportunity for the future to shine. Wood has put up decent numbers through one and a half games. Just a sophomore, improvement each week should follow more repetitions through practice and games. Brayden Carr got a few snaps behind center last year, but could also see increased playing time at quarterback to take advantage of his speed.
The coach praised both quarterbacks after being thrown into emergency duty.
“Jose and those guys did a good job of popping some big ones to take some pressure off them to where we’re not having to throw it 40 times. The defense has shuffled some pieces around, where Wood was a starting safety. The coaching staff has trained many players at multiple positions, so the impact has not been as dire as it would be otherwise.”
It is a difficult game to get back into the win column. The Bears have had plenty of district success over the years and look to be a contender again in 2025. However, more experience each week for the Lions in Carter’s system should help with timing and comfortability on the field.
