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Although the two teams haven’t faced each other in a game since, 2009, it was a typical match-up with both teams fighting tooth and nail for the win.

“We played hard four quarters,” head coach Cornel Thompson said. “We stayed after them on defense and Coach (Ed) Dyer executed his offensive plan well. We had some missed tackles on defense and some missed opportunities on offense which are part of a typical first game.”

The Chain Gang defense, who could’ve been named the Love Bugs on Friday night, because they were everywhere, held LC-M to seven first downs and only 121 yards of total offense. They also shut down Bear running back Alex Sezar, only allowing him 37 yards on 15 carries.

The Mustangs started the scoring off on their first offensive possession when senior Quentin Tezeno took LC-M’s first punt 35 yards for excellent field position. Three plays later, running back Ar’Tevin McDonald took the handoff and sprinted 25 yards up the middle to put six points on the board. Kicker Rodickson Cano hit his first PAT of the season to put the Mustangs on top, 7-0.

The next punt return, who went to J’Marcus Rhodes was returned 20 yards to set up the next touchdown. Quarterback Jimmy Salter hit tailback John Scott from 17 yards out to put six more on the board. After the PAT sailed wide left, the Mustangs were still up 13-0 to end the first quarter.

WO-S upped the score to 16-0 in the second quarter when Cano hit a 23-yard field goal. The last score came in the fourth quarter after the LC-M defense held the Mustangs on fourth down and the ball went over the Bears inches from the goal. On third down, WO-S defensive end Colin Janice flew untouched to Bear quarterback Caleb Harley, knocking him down in the endzone for two points. Although the Mustangs never hit paydirt again, the 18-0 score was enough to retain the Orange Bowl trophy and the bragging rights for another year.

“We got into the red zone three times but were only able to score twice,” Thompson said. “We are going to have to be proficient in that area and be able to score when we get that close. We are looking for improvement from the first week to the second which is usually when a team shows the most growth.”

The Mustangs will head into hostile territory this Friday night when they will take on the Port Neches-Groves Indians at the Reservation at 7:30 p.m.

“These kids have never been in this situation before,” Thompson said. “It is hard to win at Port Neches and we will do everything that we can to prepare them for the atmosphere that they have never experienced before.”

The Port Neches-Groves Indians are coming off of a 21-20 win over the Silsbee Tigers. After being up 21-6, the Indians were forced to depend on their defense in the last 38 seconds of the game after Silsbee pulled to within one point and went for the two-point conversion. The Indians defense tightened up and knocked down the pass to the corner to insure the win.

“The Indians will play hard for 48 minutes. You can guarantee that,” Thompson said. “It’s a tough place to get a victory but I know we are capable. They just have long time traditions, winning the state championships in the 70’s and playing in the play-offs many times. Many of the players’ fathers and grandfathers played for PN-G and they will play hard.”

Key players for the Indians are left-handed quarterback A.J. Smith and receivers Logan Chipman and Jeremiah Rose. Smith, who is a 6’5 senior, completed 17 passes of 33 for 168 yards and a touchdown while Rose hauled in 5 passes for 46 yards and scored from four yards out.

Although the ninth grade team lost to LC-M last Thursday, 22-12, the JV team beat the Bears, 12-0. Scoring on offense were Caleb Collins on a 70-yard catch and run thrown by quarterback Jermaine

Mitchell and a quarterback keeper from one yard out by Mitchell. The second touchdown was set up by a punt fumble recover by Josh Tims. Defensive standouts were Scott McCarty, Jeron Preston, and Elijah Teel. Offensive standouts on the line were Jacob Hryhorchuk, Richard Wright, and Rashaan Wilson.

The Mustang subvaristy teams will play at Dan R. Hooks Stadium Thursday, September 6, with the freshmen team beginning at 5:30 and the JV game to follow. Both Mustang and Indian fans will enter and sit on the home side.

Ticket sales for the varsity game on Friday night at the Reservation will be at the WO-S athletic office Wednesday-1-3pm, Thursday-9-12 & 1-3pm and Friday-9-12 ONLY. Tickets are $6 for Adults and $3 for students. Ticket prices are the same at the gate. Come out and support the Mustangs.