The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

It was a typical Orange Bowl match-up Friday night at Battlin’ Bear Stadium but the young Mustangs were able to hold on and beat the Bears, 21-3. The Bears never gave up, making WO-S fight until the last few seconds ticked off of the clock.

The feisty Bears struck first when they were able to move the ball down the field but stalled and had to settle for a Trent Manuel 33-yard field goal.

Quarterback Chase Rutledge, who replaced three-year starter Jimmy Salter, was able to get the Mustang offense going late in the first quarter after moving the ball down the field with a balanced attack. Running back Chris James was able to hit pay dirt when he hit a wall of LC-M defenders in the middle of the field but bounced around the right side for a 16-yard score. Rodickson Cano’s PAT was good and the Mustangs were up over the Bears, 7-3.

The young WO-S defense was able to keep the Bears out of the end zone and with two minutes left in the half, Rutledge hit back-up quarterback Dillon Sterling-Cole with a 28 yard pass down to the 2 to set up the next score. On third down, James took the hand-off up the middle for the touchdown and Cano’s PAT made it 14-3 going into the half.

After the half, neither team seemed able to get anything going until James took the ball on a 36-yard scamper that set up first and goal. Rutledge took the honors on a three yard keeper to put the game at 21-3, with 9 minutes left in the game.

The Mustangs will face the Port Neches-Groves Indians on Friday at the Reservation. The Indians Beat the Silsbee Tigers 45-21 in their opener so the Mustangs will be busy all week preparing for the passing attack that the Indians bring to the table.

The ninth grade squad started the season off on the right foot, beating LC-M’s freshman team, 30-6. Scoring for the Mustangs were Jerimiah Shaw on a 36 yard run, KJ Miller on a 26 yard run, Malik Phillips on a 3 yard touchdown run, a two point conversion on a pass from KJ Miller to Jaylen Matthews, another on a pass from Phillips to Matthews and a safety by a host of Mustangs. Offensive standouts were Miller, BB Tezino, Matthews and Shaw. Defensive standouts were Rufus Joseph, Roland Carter, Jaylen Powdrill, Morris Joseph and Kyion Hancock.

The JV tied with LC-M’s JV at 14. Michael Snow scored on an 18 yard pass from quarterback Jermaine Mitchell. The Mustangs trailed by six with two minutes left in the game when quarterback Jack Dallas connected with Chris Brown in the endzone from 40 yards out. Dallas tied the game when he ran in for the two-point conversion. Offensive line standout was La’Darian Carter and defensive standouts were Justin Brown, Ja’Quarius Garrick, Chris Brown and Quinton Chargois.

Come out and support the sub-varsity teams as they play PN-G at home Thursday night beginning at 5. The varsity will play at the Reservation beginning at 7:30. Tickets will be on sale at the athletic office Wednesday - 1-3pm, Thursday - 9-12 & 1-3pm and Friday - 9-12 only. Ticket prices are $6 for adults & $3 for students. All tickets at the gate are $6. Directions to the Reservation are: Take 87 thru Bridge City to Port Arthur: Take the Hwy. 366 Exit and make right onto Hwy. 366; Stay on Hwy. 366 until you reach Merriman Street; Turn right on Merriman - 1401 Merriman Street.

Come out and cheer on the Mustangs!!