Believe it or not, Livingston football (0-6, 0-3) could still end the season with a winning district record. A drastic turnaround is needed, and few games on the 2024 schedule would make a statement like a win at Bridge City. After one of their better performances that saw the Lions lead a team tied for first in district at the half, they will need four similar quarters to defeat Friday’s opponent.
The Cardinals hold a perfect mark through six challenges under former Orangefield coach Josh Smalley. In league play, they have defeated Lumberton 28-7, Vidor 49-20, and edged Hardin-Jefferson last week 28-24.
They are District 10-4A's best defense through three games, surrendering an average of just 215 yards. Livingston coach Finis Vanover said the group is very strong against the pass.
“They are really good on defense,” he said. “They are very aggressive, great tacklers, play with reckless abandon, and the coaches have done a great job of bringing that toughness from Orangefield. They are sure tacklers, playing sideline to sideline, but they blitz a lot more than they ever did in Orangefield.
“They are a 50 defense just like they have always played at Orangefield. What we have watched them do is stunt and blitz like crazy, but it is all spread offenses that they have played against. It is like a 3-3, with the rest defensive backs. They will give us a seven- or eight-man box out of that 50 defense.”
Sophomore Bryce Breeden has proven to be a standout defender, with 58 total tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, four sacks, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. Keagan Trahan and Ethan Hernandez are also top tacklers, Koby Dean has three sacks and six hits on quarterbacks, Jagger Carlin and Kolby Leblanc each have four pass breakups, and Carson Sauceda has two interceptions.
The Little Cypress-Mauriceville game will serve as a good preview into what the Lions should face this week. Bridge City runs a similar offense that will spread defenses to create running lanes.
Leading that attack – and the rest of the district by more than 200 yards – is junior running back Ashton Sumrall. He has a whopping 123 carries on the year, good for 769 yards and nine touchdowns. By comparison, Livingston’s leading rusher, Trenden Williams, has only been afforded 59 attempts on the ground.
Dual-threat senior quarterback Hutch Bearden is the district’s second-best passer at 911 yards with a 63% completion rate, and fourth in rushing, gaining just over 500 yards and nine end zone crossings.
“They have played everybody in a spread offense,” Vanover said. “They will get in a strong wing down in short yardage or when they get in a goal line situation. The quarterback is a little magician and really does things extremely well. They've got receivers all over the field, yet they've got twice as much rushing yardage as they do passing. They throw all of those screens and bubbles and hitches, but they are spreading you out to run the football. The quarterback keeps the ball until the last second on his runs, then can throw it while he is running. Those receivers do a good job of breaking to an open spot and coming back to him.”
Livingston is within two yards of the Cardinals’ total offense. However, Bridge City is second in turnover ratio, while Livingston is last in the district.
“They are undefeated, no question, and they haven't turned the ball over. Our rushing is almost identical. It is going to be about playing with mental toughness. They are coasting and cruising and playing with confidence. They have a great swagger to them and are aggressive as heck.”
Livingston saw its potential in the first half last week against one of the district's best teams. The two-point lead they held at the half was confirmation the Lions have the ability to stay with district foes, regardless of current records.
“It doesn't matter if you are a college guy, pro guy or 15-year-old sophomore, the disappointment stacks up,” Vanover said of Livingston’s record. “You have to have some leadership, coaches have to stay with it, and everybody has to be positive. We have to believe in what we are saying and doing, and just keep chopping wood. You have to fight your way out of it.
“If we will just keep that part going and come out to score some in the third quarter, we are going to be fine. If we can take it to a four-quarter game, I think we will find a new heart and soul, and people will see some new results from this football team and get past that hump.”
