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The Mustangs, who have been a little slow getting started the last few weeks, proved to all in attendance that there are no “off” weeks at WO-S as they had two weeks to prepare for this game.

“We really played hard,” Thompson said. “I’m happy with the offensive line. Our rushing game was on and we were able to move the ball offensively. Defensively, we swarmed to the ball.”

The Chain Gang defense held the Bobcats to 132 total yards and five first downs. The secondary picked off Orangefield’s Eric Truncale on both pass attempts with those interceptions credited to J’Marcus Rhodes and Daniel Woodson. The WO-S offense had its best showing of the season with 255 yards rushing and 261 passing for a total of 516 offensive yards.

“I was proud that we mentally got into it,” Thompson said. “We showed maturity in being able to separate the homecoming festivities from the game we had to play.”

No one showed it better than senior Colin Janice, who was crowned homecoming king at Friday’s pep rally, and then picked up a blocked field goal attempt by Bobcat Dave Rainey and ran it back 76 yards for the Mustangs second score of the game.

“I really couldn’t believe that I got king,” Janice said. “But I was more looking forward to playing Orangefield that night than anything.”

The game looked to be a typical Orangefield match-up similar to last year, when the Bobcats were able to recover their first punt and set up shop on WO-S’ 46 yard line. However, Rhodes came to the rescue and snagged the ball, setting up the first score of the night. Only five plays later, quarterback Jimmy Salter hit Rhodes on a 15 yard pass for the touchdown and Rodikson Cano hit the PAT to put the Mustangs on the board, 7-0. From that moment on, it was downhill for the Bobcats and uphill for the Mustangs.

WO-S’ Abear Simien led the ground game with 11 carries for 121 yards, including a 14 yard run for a touchdown. Back-up quarterback Chase Rutledge, who went in for Salter to start the fourth quarter, was second in line with nine rushes for 50 yards and a touchdown. Salter, who threw for 220 yards, had short pass to Rashon McDonald who took it 85 yards for a score. Senior Kane Tezeno also scored on a nine yard run.

Although the Mustangs took the night to celebrate, it was back to business the next morning to prepare for the Buna game in Buna this Friday night.

“I’ve been saying all year that this could be the toughest game regular season game,” Thompson said. “Our kids have never been to Buna, most of them don’t even know what their mascot is. Although it isn’t a great facility to play in, I’m gonna tell them that the field is the same-100 yards long and 53 yards wide.”

The Buna Cougars (4-4, 2-2), who just moved up to 3A this year, have been in every district football game except one, down to the wire. They lost to Bridge City, 24-28 after being up by 24 before the half and they lost to Silsbee, 10-44. They beat Hamshire-Fannett, 40-21 and Hardin Jefferson last Friday, 22-13.

“Buna has size. The basically run the same offense as Orangefield. Even though they have a few different sets, they have the same game plan,” Thompson said. “We will need another effort like last week to win. We need to continue to perform as a football team 48 minutes-move forward and not back up.”

The Cougars are led by quarterback Glenn Patrick, who also starts as safety and is the team punter. Junior Matthew Biddle is also a threat at slot receiver/half back and tight end Tate LeJuene is a returner from last year that is one to watch. Full back Dalton Ford, who weighs in around 230 pounds, has been out with a knee injury but played this past Friday night. Ford had 11 carries for 65 yards and a touchdown while Biddle finished with 26 carries for 148 yards and two touchdowns against Hardin Jefferson. The defense is led by right tackle Bryce Tippett and the Cougars run a 50 defense.

Tickets will not be pre-sold for the visitor side but will be available at the gate-$4 for adults and $2 for students. To get to the Buna Stadium, take Hwy. 62N towards Buna. Turn right on the first road after the red light in Buna, which is Rawlinson. The stadium and parking lot will be on the right.

The freshman and JV combined to play Orangefields’ JV and came away with a 38-12 win.

Autumn Jones was crowned WO-S Homecoming Queen Friday night at half time and Colin Janice was crowned Homecoming King at the pep rally earlier in the day. Janice had a stellar night on the football field also, picking up a blocked field goal and running it back over 70 yards for the second touchdown of the night.

Elijah Teel scored the first points when he tackled the Bobcat quarterback in the end zone for a safety.

Dillon Sterling-Cole, who played quarterback most of the game, scored four rushing touchdowns from two, six, 38 and 19 yards out.

He also threw for one touchdown and three two-point conversions.

His targets were Dee Wolfford on a two point conversion, Jermaine Mitchell on two two-point conversions and Caleb Collins on a 13-yard touchdown pass.

Other offensive standouts were running back David Webb and lineman Tristan Scott and defensive standouts included Steven Tims, Marco Jaganathan, and J.D. Thompson.

The 7th grade Stallions won, 40-8 and the 8th grade team won, 16-0.

The freshmen team will play Bridge City and the JV team will play Buna’s JV Thursday at Dan R. Hooks Stadium beginning at 5 p.m. The Stallions will play in Buna Thursday beginning at 5 p.m. also.

With only three regular season games, please come out and support all of the Mustang athletes.