LITTLE CYPRESS — It will be Homecoming for the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Bears Friday night as the Crosby Cougars will head to Battlin’ Bear Stadium for a 7 p.m. start.

The Bears (1-1) will have their off week Oct. 6. Originally they were going to be off this Friday and then host Houston St. Pius Oct. 6.

LC-M found its groove against Orangefield last week, jumping out to a 28-0 first-half lead as they went on to down the Bobcats 35-7.

The Bears have been very balanced offensively in their first two outings, averaging 339.5 yards a game, 189.5 on the ground and 150 in the air.

Quarterback Ethan McCollom has shown plenty of versatility, completing 18-of-24 passes for 228 yards while rushing for 139 yards on 28 totes.

Tailback Chris Winters has rolled up 128 yards on 27 carries and has been a huge threat on special teams, including a 75-yard punt return for a score against Orangefield.

The Bears have two go-to receivers in the forms of Dameon Morris and Katon Brown. Morris has nine receptions for 170 yards while Brown has seven grabs for 119 yards.

After allowing 304 yards on the ground in a 28-14 loss to Woodville in their opener, the Bears limited Orangefield to just 81 last week.

The Bears are allowing 206.5 yards a game, 192.5 on the ground and just 14 in the air.

The Cougars were District 21-5A co-champions last year and went 9-3 overall and have plenty of weapons back.

Crosby is off to a 3-0 start and is already 2-0 in district. They have wins over Jasper (42-36), Barbers Hill (48-32) and Porter (42-35).

Six starters returned to the Crosby offense.  Taking the helm full time for the Crosby spread offense will be junior Jaiden Howard, who was the 2016 Newcomer of the Year in 21-5A after completing 62-of-107 passes for 900 yards and nine touchdowns and added 245 yards rushing and three scores.  The running load usually goes to senior running back Craig “Sqwirl” Williams who is off to a strong start..  Look for junior Zachary Simon to also see action in the backfield.  Howard will have a number of receiving targets as senior all-district tandem Cedric Patterson (35 catches, 519 yards, three TDs) and Roony Woodard (28 catches, 550 yards, eight TDs) will lead a corp which will also features Victor Clarke and Chance Smith.