The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

At times, it wasn’t pretty but the Mustangs were still able to come away with the second shut-out of the season this past Friday night against an angry group of Central Jaquars who are now 0-3 after the 14-0 loss to WO-S.

Although the Mustangs put up less yards on offense than the previous two games, they were able to score twice, while holding the Jaguars scoreless.

“I thought the kids were kind of big-eyed when we first got out there,” Head Coach Cornel Thompson said. “Central had a lot of speed that we haven’t seen and they were in a new setting. But we played 48 minutes and that’s what it takes.”

The game seemed to be going great for the Mustangs when the Chain Gang defense forced Central to punt on the first series of the game after they chased Central quarterback Robert Mitchell back to the two yard line. But a fumble on the punt return gave the ball back to the Jaguars and a defensive struggle between both teams ensued.

The Mustangs were able to put points on the board late in the second quarter after Colin Janice recovered a loose ball around the 30. Five plays later, quarterback Jimmy Salter took the ball in from two yards out for the first points of the night. Kicker Jerquis Beasley hit the PAT and the Mustangs were on the board, 7-0.

Safety Travon Blanchard saved Central from scoring late in the frist when he picked off Mitchell at the two yard line. The only other time Central even got close to scoring was late in the first period when Central’s Nicalus Rhone attempted a 37-yard field goal that the WO-S defense blocked.

After the half, the Mustangs took the kick-off and moved the ball 70 yards in 12 plays before running back Abear Simien took the ball around the right side and scored from seven yards out, carrying two of Central’s players on his back as he crossed the line for the score.

“I was real proud of our kids coming out in the third quarter and scoring on their first possession,” Thompson said. “I do believe that, like Coach (Paul) Thomas said, we have something special. We’ll just take it one week at a time and continue to work on our team concept and we’ll be alright.”

Next up for the Mustangs is the 3-0 Jasper Bulldogs. The Bulldogs are coming off of a big 53-13 win over Kirbyville(1-2). With a new coach in town, Jasper is averaging 52 points a game, beating Orangefield, 55-14 and Liberty, 49-13.

“This Jasper team is just like they have always been with the size, speed and athleticism,” Thompson said. “They are very similar to Central and I am sure that they are looking forward to coming here to play.”

Jasper returns nine players on defense and has a great split end in Demarcus Collins. The ‘Dogs are led by quarterback Stephen Walker and also depend a lot on tailbacks Donavan Middleton and Deroderick Hadnot. Both scored three touchdowns each against the Wildcats this past Friday.

Kick-off will be at 7 p.m. at Dan R. Hooks stadium with tickets going on sale in the WO-S athletic office Wednesday, 1 to 3 p.m., Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m. to noon. Tickets are $5 for reserved and $2 for students, with all tickets $5 at the gate.

The subvarsity teams, from the middle school, on up won this past week.

The Stallions played Groves.

The 7th grade team won, 22-0, 8th grade B team won, 35-0 and the 8th grade A team won, 28-0.

The freshmen beat Central, 22-18, with eight seconds left in the game.

Scoring for the young Mustangs was Eric Cormier on a 40 yard interception and Cormier also scored the two point conversion from quarterback Maliki Hodge; Thomas Wallace also scored on a 28-yard pass from Hodge and the two point conversion to Peyton Robertson was good.

Hodge also had a one yard run for the final touchdown.

Offensive standouts were Hodge, Robertson, Wallace and Brock McManus.

Defensive standouts were Cormier, Octaviun Rhodes, Domonique White and Javontae Johnson.

The JV also beat Central, 20-0. Jordan Richard scored on a 10-yard run and a one yard run. Trey Baldwin scored a two-point conversion and Caleb Collins had a 70-yard punt return for a score. Josh Tims, Elijah Teel and Michael Snow all had fumble recoveries. Other offensive standouts were Jermaine Mitchell and Miguel Gobert with defensive standouts Snow, Teel, Tims and Jeron Preston.

The ninth grade and JV teams will play in Jasper Thursday, starting at 5 p.m. and the middle school will play at home.

Come out and support the Mustangs in their second home game of the season, Friday night, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m.