LITTLE CYPRESS — More players are out for football this year at Little Cypress- Mauriceville, the most Randy Crouch has seen since he became the Battlin’ Bears’ coach three seasons ago.

“We really like our numbers this year,” said Crouch. “We have 101 kids out here from 10th through 12th grade and 65 alone at the freshman level. The really good thing we have going for us is that we have 28 seniors. They bring back some experience and I think we have some pretty good leadership.”

The Bears return 13 starters off last year’s 4-6 squad, six on offense and seven on defense.

LC-M started off 4-0 last season but finished up with a six-game skid in District 20-4A play and the Bears look to turn their fortunes around in 2012. The Bears will be on a quest for the school’s first playoff berth since 1997.

“We’ve got some key guys returning, especially on the defensive side of the ball,” said Crouch. “We were really young on defense last year but those guys learned a lot and they’ve really worked hard in the offseason to improve their strengths and weknesses.”

Offensively, the Bears have a unique weapon in sprinter Alex Sezer, who returns after rushing for 593 yards and five touchdowns.

“Offensively, we’re looking at a few kids to step up,” said Crouch. “We’re still unsettled at quarterback and a few other spots. We’ve got some young guys on the line. It will definitely clear up for us when we put on the pads.”

Crouch was excited about LC-M’s first-ever Midnight Madness scrimmage Friday morning.

“It’s always good to get those pads on for the first time,” said Crouch. “A lot of kids look good in T-shirts and helmets but it is a different ballgame when you put that gear on. The true tests come in those scrimmages. We’ll know a lot more about ourselves next week when Goose Creek (Memorial) rolls in here.”

LC-M will play host to Goose Creek Memorial in its first scrimmage Aug. 17 with the freshmen starting at 5 p.m. followed by the junior varsity (6 p.m.) and varsity (7 p.m.). The Bears will travel to Sour Lake Aug. 24 for a tri-scrimmage with Hardin-Jefferson and Beaumont Kelly. The scrimmage will likely be in the morning as the teams are still working out details.

There will be a Meet the Bears Night Aug. 27 at 8 p.m. at Battlin’ Bear Stadium.

The Bears will kickoff their 2012 campaign Aug. 31 on the road at West Orange-Stark.

The Vidor  Pirates will look to pick up where they left off last year behind long-time head coach Jeff Mathews.

The Pirates went three rounds deep in the postseason to finish 10-3 overall. The Pirates defeated Crosby and Montgomery in the playoffs as the school earned its first playoff victory since 1964.

Vidor will host Orangefield in a scrimmage Aug. 17 with the freshmen starting at 4 p.m. followed by the JV (5 p.m.) and the varsity (6 p.m.). Vidor will visit West Orange-Stark in their second scrimmage Aug. 23 with the freshmen starting at 5 p.m. followed by the JV (6 p.m.) and the varsity (7 p.m.).

The Pirates open up their season at home Aug. 31 against Santa Fe.

WO-S will have scrimmages against Nederland and Vidor.

The Mustangs will travel to Nederland Aug. 17 with the freshmen starting at 5 p.m. followed by the junior varsity (6 p.m.) and the varsity (7 p.m.). The Mustangs will host Vidor Aug. 23 with the freshmen starting at 5 p.m. followed by the junior varsity (6 p.m.) and varsity (7 p.m.).

WO-S will open its campaign Aug. 31 at home against LC-M.

The Bridge City Cardinals will be seeking their fourth straight playoff appearance under the guidance of Coach Cris Stump. The Cardinals went a solid 8-3 last season, finishing second in District 21-3A.

Bridge City will scrimmage Lumberton and Woodville. The Cardinals host Lumberton Aug. 17 with the varsity starting at 7 p.m. while the freshmen and JV play right before it. The Cardinals will visit Woodville Aug. 23 with the times yet to be determined.

The Cardinals will start their regular season Aug. 31 with a road trip to Newton.

The Orangefield Bobcats, under the direction of first-year head coach Josh Smalley, will have their first scrimmage at Vidor Aug. 17 with the freshmen starting at 4 p.m. followed by the JV (5 p.m.) and varsity (6 p.m.). Orangefield will visit Hardin Aug. 24 for its second scrimmage with times still to be determined.

Meet the Bobcats Night will be held Aug. 25 at 6:30 p.m. at the new high school gym.

Orangefield will open their 2012 season on the road Aug. 31 in Winnie against East Chambers.