GAMES
RANKINGS
Built For This: Moore Follows Passion To Become Strutter Director
FOR SOME, IT TAKES YEARS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THEIR PASSION IS.
Macie Moore knew hers in the ninth grade.
“Back in high school, I was a line member, then a Lieutenant, then a First Lieutenant and then the Captain,” she said. “I held several leadership roles, and I have so many great memories. It made me step out of my shell and become a confident person in front of my peers.”
The new Bridge City Strutter Director fell in love with dance and always wanted to come home to lead the Red and White’s award-winning dance team. That was her dream since high school.
Which was three years ago!
The 21-year-old Moore would not be denied. Upon graduating from Bridge City, she made the world-renown Kilgore Junior College Rangerettes, where she danced for two years.
“Being a part of the Rangerettes opened up a whole new world for me,” she said. “I learned so many styles of dance. We performed everywhere from England to Virginia. It was a great opportunity for a girl from Bridge City, Texas and opened up so many doors for me career-wise.”
She knew she was on the clock, however, knowing legendary Strutter Director Cathy Riley was ready to retire.
“I called and begged her to give me a little more time,” she said. “She knew I really wanted this.”
Moore would finish her Bachelor ’s Degree from Lamar University with head-spinning speed and accuracy.
“I’ve always planned on this being my permanent position,” she said of the Strutters’Director job. “This is where God has placed me, and it’s been a very smooth transition. I love sharing my passion with the girls. It never feels like a job and I can do this forever.”
For Moore, leading strutters has so many layers to it. She is a to teach life lessons.
In ninth grade, the Bridge City Strutters were performing a routine during a pep rally and something wasn’t right for Moore.
“I’ll never forget, it was our ‘ Thriller ’ routine for our Halloween pep rally,” she said. “I blanked out during a performance. That never happened.I had to come off the floor. I cried to let me perform at the football game that night, but Ms. Riley knew something was wrong.”
She was sent to Texas Children’s in Beaumont and was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. “It threw me for a loop because I don’t do well with change,” she said. “I didn’t want to stick out from everyone else, having Diabetes. I really struggled emotionally.
“But without Diabetes, I wouldn’t be who I am today. It really built me into a strong, independent woman. That’s what I preach to these girls. There are going to be trials and tribulations in their lives. But if you can get over them, nothing can stop you.”
Moore’s life-lessons hit different because of her age and experience.
“I’m really transparent with the girls and I feel like they can relate to me because I’m really not that much older than them,” she laughed. “Even though they think I act like an 80-year-old woman, I’ve been through what they are going through very recently. I can show them techniques and what they are supposed to look like.
“To think, I was a senior in high school as their pre drill instructor when they were in the eighth grade. Now they are seniors, and I am their Director.”
Life happens fast, doesn’t it?"
The McGuire-Effect: Bridge City Football Getting Back On Track With McGuire at the Helm
THE BANNER LOOMS LARGE INSIDE LARRY WARD STADIUM ON THE CAMPUS OF BRIDGE CITY HIGH SCHOOL – THE 1960 STATE CHAMPIONS.
When Dr. Mike Kelly arrived as the new Superintendent, he started a drastic culture change starting with an investment in coaches and facilities.
He tabbed Cody McGuire, who had coached at perennial power Austin Westlake, to lead his football program and be the Athletic Director. McGuire took a 1-6 team in 2020 to a 4-6 programa year ago.
“I want to thank our community, school board and Dr. Kelly,” McGuire said. “The recent upgrades to the weight room, track, field turf and tennis courts has everyone fired up.”
Going into year two, McGuire is ready to take another step inside his program.“ When I interviewed, I could tell this community was hungry to get things back on track,” he said. “Your second year, you feel like will be better than your first year for several reasons. The seniors worked so hard last year and really bought into the system. That carried over with the guys coming back, who have continued to work hard. We expect them to do some great things.
“Having the guys for an entire offseason and summer together, we’ve seen our strength and speed increase incredibly. We are going to be better for it in 2022.”
For McGuire, it’s simple. He explains that there are five ways to get on the field for him.
“It starts with playing hard every play at practice and in the game,” he said. “You have to have knowledge of your assignment. If you don’t know what to do, we can’t put you out on the field. Are you physical and tough? This is a tough sport. You have to be a great teammate and uplift your brothers. And finally, are you a playmaker? It comes down to Godgiven talent. Can you play?”
McGuire came over from Westlake under the tutelage of legendary coach Todd Dodge. He also had stops at Tomball, Klein Collins and Lockhart High School.
“The thing about Westlake is the culture – they would play anyone, anytime, anywhere,” he said. “They aren’t scared of anyone. That is what we are trying to build here.”
It starts up front with offensive lineman Matthew Livingston, who will need to control the line of scrimmage. Sebastian Sandino and Keaton Watts will also help in the trenches. Tight end Noah Broussard will stretch the field, while Caden Welch will run between the tackles. Sophomore Hutch Bearden, will need to step up in the QB role and watch for Case McGuire at receiver.
On defense, JS Beardon will run the show as an outside linebacker. The all-state selection will set the tone for Nick Lejeune, Rayburn Hebert, Stephen Stone and Jagger Carlin. Landon and Keaton Watts and Mason Pruitt should play bigger roles in 2022 on defense along with Kayden Kibodeaux and Jerry Winfrey.
“Our goal is to make the playoffs,” he said. “That’s always the goal, right? We need to focus on being the best team on the field every Friday night.”
That banner will still loom large.