The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

The 2012 playoffs are in full effect and things can change quickly for any team fortunate enough to earn a berth.

The week started with three teams from our 3A district, but just like that, only two remain. Bridge City is out; West Orange-Stark and Silsbee still stand.

The Bridge City Cardinals (5-6, 4-2) made a good run at it, getting their collective foot in the door at the last second, with their victory over the Orangefield Bobcats. They got Coldspring in their initial match-up, where they weren’t favored, but some thought they had a good chance of moving on. Moving on was no longer an option after Friday getting knocked out of the tournament in the first round 47-7.

Coach Cris Stump and the crew managed to score a touchdown with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Daniel Faulk to Adrian Schubarth, but turnovers would eventually be the Cards’ undoing as they lost one fumble and got intercepted twice. The Cardinal offense never really got it off the ground due to a stout defensive effort and how Coldspring’s offense was clicking from the start. Bridge City would’ve had to had a flawless effort to outscore them. It will be back to the drawing board for the coach and the team with a new squad that will have to take over next year.

The West Orange Stark-Mustangs continue to roll on, as they got a huge 57-7 win against Cleveland last week. The Mustangs looked as impressive as ever, delivering the kind of well-balanced performance that other schools in the competition will have to take notice of. WOS has smothered one opponent after another on their way to this point, but another shut-out to open up district play was a statement game letting everyone know they are for real.

Jimmy Salter lit it up passing 11/15 for two scores and 185 yards through the air and ran in a eight yard scamper for points on the ground. Wide receiver J’Marcus Rhodes was the beneficiary of those two touchdowns and the team rushed for 248 yards collectively, but the Mustangs dominated in all three phases of the game blocking kicks, intercepting the ball and even getting a safety before it was all over.

Coach Thompson and his squad have really stepped up this year, and it has been a run to remember for the team. The fight carries on for the Mustangs. They play Columbia High School Friday, Nov. 23 at 6 p.m. Look for more of the same great Mustang offense and defense as the playoffs unfold.

J'Marcus Rhodes scores the first touchdown of the night for the Mutangs from 41 yards out. RECORD PHOTO: Meri Elen Jacobs