Lumberton holds off LC-M, 21-13

Van Wade

LITTLE CYPRESS — Showcasing the talent of senior running back Cody Hussey, the Lumberton Raiders stayed in the thick of the District 22-4A playoff chase Friday night by downing the hard-nosed Little Cypress-Mauriceville Bears 21-13 at Battlin' Bear Stadium.

Hussey dashed for 164 yards on 26 bullish carries to spark the Raider victory.

The Battlin’ Bears (1-8, 0-6) held their own against the Raiders (8-1, 5-1), who are on a quest for their first-ever playoff appearance.

Coach Todd Moody’s Bear squad actually outgained the Raiders 292-282.

“Our kids just battled and battled against a superb football team tonight,” said Moody. “I thought the kids executed superbly and played an amazing game. Give Lumberton credit, they have one heckuva football team. But I can say this, the Battlin’ Bears gave the Raiders all they can handle. I know it’s a loss, but a lot of positives came out of this one. There’s no quit in our kids.”

The Bears made a major statement at the end of the third period by going 99 yards in 14 plays to get within 14-7.

The drive showcased the bruising running of senior tailback Kendrix Salter, who darted for 124 yards on 30 carfries, and senior fullback Joseph Viator. Viator, an all-district caliber linebacker, had four carries for 28 yards early in the drive. Salter ripped off 45 yards on seven totes and finished off the great series by the offensive line with a tough 3-yard touchdown blast up the middle to make it 14-7 with 0:18 left as the Bears ate up 5:29 off the clock.

“The kids came out and made a statement with that drive,” Moody said. “They showed a great deal of character and poise to take it all the way down the field. They fought to the final minute and that’s a credit to their attitudes and 5they just never gave up.”

Lumberton answered right back by going 56 yards in six plays early in the fourth period. Raider quarterback Bryce DeJohn connected with receiver Aaron Credeur on a 28-yard strike that got to the Bear 28. On third-and-8 from the LC-M 13, DeJohn scrambled to his right, eluding a host of Bear defenders and found receiver B.J. Belt wide open in the right corner of the end zone to put the Raiders up 21-7 with 9:49 remaining in the game.

Bear defensive back JuJuan Thompson picked off DeJohn at the Bear 40 and returned it to midfield with 6:18 left to give LC-M new life.

The Bears went the 50-yard distance in 10 plays to draw closer. Senior quarterback President Driver hit burly tight end Chad Richard on a 26-yard strike that got to the Raider 1 and then Viator finished it off with a 1-yard touchdown blast off the right side. Kicker Max Perkins' extra-point attempt fell short as the Bears trailed 21-13 with two minutes left.

The LC-M onside attempt failed and the Raiders gobbled up two first downs to hang on for the win.

The Raiders struck quickly on their first series of the contest.

“The Hussey kid is a good one,” Moody said. “He’s tough to bring down but I think our kids did an excellent job. Lumberton came in with an explosive offense and we slowed them down pretty well. That was just a great play on their quarterback’s (DeJohn) part there near the end on that touchdown pass.”

Hussey, who had 113 yards on 11 first-half carries, brought an LC-M punt back 28 yards to set the Raiders up at the Bear 44. On the second play from scrimmage, Hussey exploded through the middle of the Bear defense for a 35-yard jaunt down to the 2. On the next play, Credeur scored on a 2-yard quarterback keeper as the Raiders grabbed a 7-0 advantage with 7:57 remaining in the first period.

The Raiders ate up nearly five minutes off the clock right before the half by going on a 10-play, 76-yard touchdown march. Hussey rushed seven times for 59 yards on the scoring drive and caught a 9-yard pass. He capped it with a tremendous 17-yard burst around the right end to find the end zone, pushing the Lumberton lead to 14-0 with 1:55 left before intermission.

The Bears got into Lumberton territory twice in the first 24 minutes but came away empty-handed.

Kendrix Salter had a very workmanlike first half, bruising his way to 82 yards on 18 carries.

LC-M moved the ball fairly well against the top-rated 22-4A defense. The Raiders outgained the Bears 152-144 in the first half.

Driver completed 3-of-10 first-half passes for 39 yards while DeJohn was 2-of-5 for 23 yards. Driver finished 6-of-17 for 75 yards while DeJohn was 4-for-11 for 64 yards.

The Battlin' Bears will close out their season on the road next Friday against Orange County rival Vidor at Pirate Stadium.

“I know Coach (Jeff) Mathews will have the Vidor kids ready to play,” Moody said. “Both of us our looking for a district win so it should be an excellent game.”

Lumberton 21

LC-M 13

LC-M0 0 7 6 — 13

Lum 7 7 0 7 — 21

Scoring summary

Lumberton — Aaron Credeur 2 run. Trace Freeman kick.

Lumberton — Cody Hussey 17 run. Freeman kick.

LC-M — Kendrix Salter 3 run. Max Perkins kick.

Lumberton — B.J. Belt 13 pass from Bryce DeJohn. Freeman kick.

LC-M — Joseph Viator 1 run. Kick failed.

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LC-M Lum

First downs 19 15

Rushes-yards 49-217 39-218

Passing 75 64

Total yards 292 282

Comp-Att-Int 6-17-0 4-11-1

Fumbles-Lost 1-0 1-0

Penalties-Yards 4-34 3-25

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INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—LC-M, Salter 30-124, President Driver 7-39, Viator 7-32, Chad Humphrey 1-14, Chris Guy 4-8; Lumberton, Hussey 26-164, Jacob Hanna 3-32, Credeur 4-13, DeJohn 3-5, Travis Wilkerson 3-4.

PASSING— LC-M, Driver 6-17-0-75. Lumberton, DeJohn 4-11-1 64.

RECEIVING—LC-M, Chad Richard 3-45, James Miller 2-10, Phillip Richard 1-20;; Lumberton, Credeur 2-42, Belt 1-13, Hussey 1-9.