NEDERLAND - After dropping a nail-biter to Ozen last week, a convincing 35-3 Homecoming win over Little Cypress-Mauriceville Friday night at Bulldog Stadium was just what the Nederland Bulldogs needed to get back on track.

The Bulldogs were equally proficient on the ground and through the air, rolling up 216 yards via both methods for 432 yards of total offense.

"We felt like we could run and throw the ball," Nederland coach Larry Neumann said after the game. "We didn't want to turn the ball over, and with conditions like tonight it gets slippery sometimes. We didn't want to do anything that was going to generate momentum for them (LCM).

"Our offense has been balanced all year long. We've been very good offensively. We've done some things in other areas that have overcome our productivity offensively. When we cut down those areas like the kicking game, turnovers and things like that we're pretty good offensively.

"I don't want to take away anything from LCM and they effort they had, but I thought we came out a little flat early on and just kind of got it together as the game went on. I wouldn't say it was our best outing on either side of the ball or in the kicking game, but it was a solid win and we needed that tonight"

 

Senior quarterback Dustin Hood was back to his usual efficient self, shaking off a rare sub-par performance in last week's game at Ozen. Hood completed nine-of-22 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns.

"Dustin's a quality quarterback. There are some times when quality quarterbacks might throw the ball a little off line, but he's a solid player," Neumann said of his senior signal-caller. "We have full confidence in him. He had some really good throws tonight and the offensive line did a good job protecting him."

The one-two punch of Micah Mosley and Jameson DeLord proved to be too much for the Bears defense. Mosley ran for 125 yards on 21 carries, whichs put him at 996 total yards rushing for the season. It was also the sixth 100-yard rushing game in seven career starts for the sophomore. DeLord added 68 yards on eight carries.

"Micah has had a big role in our offense all year long so it doesn't surprise me that he's that close to 1,000 yards," said Neumann of his super sophomore. "He's an unselfish player. He's really worked hard on his game. Every time he carries the ball he gets better. You don't have to be a coach to recognize that."

In addition to the offensive prowess, Nederland's defense really stepped up big in shutting down LCM's offense, especially in the second half. The Bulldogs held the Bears to just 163 yards on seven first downs and forced three turnovers. In the second half, LCM managed just one first down and 38 yards of offense in the second half.

"We had a couple of big stops in the first half when they (LCM) had a chance to get back in the game," said Neumann. "We talked about that at halftime and really challenged our offense to put some points on the board and put the game away. Our defense came up big several times and had a few takeaways. I'm really proud of them for that."

Although the rain subsided early in the afternoon, quagmire-like conditions made holding on to the ball difficult, as both teams were plagued by early turnovers.

LCM (1-6, 0-3) took the opening drive down to the Nederland 37 before Travis Dyson coughed up the ball after a 3-yard gain. Andrew Ferguson recovered the ball for the Bulldogs and he would add an interception in the second half.

Nederland (4-3, 2-1) didn't have the ball very long, however, as DeLord fumbled the ball right back to the Bears two plays later.

After running the ball twice on its opening possession, the Bulldogs came out throwing on their second drive. Hood hit Michael Young on a 33-yard completion on first down and connected with Ryan Butler on a post pattern for a 55-yard scoring strike on the drive's second play that put Nederland up 7-0.

Nederland returned to the running game midway through the second quarter to add a pair of scores. After DeLord's 33-yard run put the ball at the LCM 11, Mosley followed with an 11-yard touchdown run to make the score 14-0.

Ryan Butler intercepted quarterback Donald Tardy on the Bears next play from scrimmage to give the Bulldogs the ball at the LCM 25. DeLord scored on an 11-yard touchdown run four plays later for a 21-0 lead.

LCM finally put a drive together to end the first half. Tardy, who was eight-of-23 for 75 yards, connected with Ladarius White on a pair of pass plays covering 27 yards, the last of which gave the Bears first-and-goal at the 8. After Tardy was sacked for a 9-yard loss, Adam Mazzola booted a 35-yard field goal on the final play of the first half to make the score 21-3 at halftime.

It was all Nederland in the second half. Mosley scored from 13 yards out to cap the Bulldogs opening drive of the third quarter. Hood connected with Young on a perfectly executed wide receiver screen that resulted in a 51-yard touchdown to close out the scoring.