FEATURE: Da Bears Have Arrived

FEATURE: Da Bears Have Arrived
Photo Courtesy of Cypress Fairbanks ISD

Conner Weigman

Originally Appeared on VYPE

HOUSTON – David Raffield didn't know when it would happen.

When Bridgeland football would be a force to be reckoned with. When the Bears could contend for a playoff spot. When the program that has its first senior class in 2019 could be in the conversation for a district crown.

Apparently, 2019 was the year.

Bridgeland has stormed out of the gates to a 4-0 record overall – setting a new program record for wins in a season after going 3-7 a year ago – and on top of that 2-0 in District 14-6A.

"It's been one of those things, yes we thought we could get here," Raffield said. "When? We didn't set a timetable. We said we are taking no shortcuts and just going to work hard. We're really seeing the kids grow and develop at a very rapid rate in the last few months. It's exciting."

The most recent of those two wins in district play is one that Raffield would consider a program-defining victory.Beating reigning District 14-6A Champion Cypress Ranch 48-14 on Saturday.

"It's definitely a huge program win," Raffield said. "For three years this group of kids has been working to get to this point. This group of seniors, for them to go out and defeat the district champs and send notice that we're a team to be reckoned with is huge for the longevity of this program."

The success of the Bridgeland Bears has sent the community into a frenzy.


The story continues HERE

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Kyle Tucker returns to Houston this weekend. Composite Getty Image.

Two first-place teams, identical records, and a weekend set with serious measuring-stick energy.

The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs open a three-game series Friday night at Daikin Park, in what could quietly be one of the more telling matchups of the summer. Both teams enter at 48-33, each atop their respective divisions — but trending in slightly different directions.

The Astros have been red-hot, going 7-3 over their last 10 while outscoring opponents by 11 runs. They've done it behind one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, with a collective 3.41 ERA that ranks second in the American League. Houston has also been dominant at home, where they’ve compiled a 30-13 record — a stat that looms large heading into this weekend.

On the other side, the Cubs have held their ground in the NL Central but have shown some recent shakiness. They're 5-5 over their last 10 games and have given up 5.66 runs per game over that stretch. Still, the offense remains dangerous, ranking fifth in on-base percentage across the majors. Kyle Tucker leads the way with a .287 average, 16 homers, and 49 RBIs, while Michael Busch has been hot of late, collecting 12 hits in his last 37 at-bats.

Friday’s pitching matchup features Houston’s Brandon Walter (0-1, 3.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and Chicago’s Cade Horton (3-1, 3.73 ERA, 1.29 WHIP), a promising young arm making one of his biggest starts of the season on the road. Horton will have his hands full with Isaac Paredes, who’s slugged 16 homers on the year, and Mauricio Dubón, who’s found a groove with four home runs over his last 10 games.

It’s the first meeting of the season between these two clubs — and if the trends continue, it may not be the last time they cross paths when it really counts.

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -112, Cubs -107; over/under is 8 1/2 runs

Here's a preview of Joe Espada's Game 1 lineup.

The first thing that stands out is rookie Cam Smith is hitting cleanup, followed by Jake Meyers. Victor Caratini is the DH and is hitting sixth. Christian Walker is all the way down at seventh, followed by Yainer Diaz, and Taylor Trammell who is playing left field.

How the mighty have fallen.

Pretty wild to see Walker and Diaz hitting this low in the lineup. However, it's justified, based on performance. Walker is hitting a pathetic .214 and Diaz is slightly better sporting a .238 batting average.

Screenshot via: MLB.com



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