The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

WOS Mustang running back KJ Miller hits the open field for a 59 yard touchdown, the fourth touchdown of the night. RECORD PHOTO: Meri Elen Jacobs

Meri Elen Jacobs - For The Record

The Mustangs more than took care of their first play-off opponent, Houston Scarborough, by knocking them out, 63-0. They will take on the 8-3 Wharton Tigers Friday night in Channelview at 7:30 in Ray Maddry Memorial Stadium.

“We got the first round under our belts,” Head Coach Cornel Thompson said. “We were able to let everyone get some experience at the varsity level in the play-off setting. But the cost of living goes up this week in Channel view.”

The Wharton Tigers beat LaGrange Friday night, 27-24, and will be the home team this week.

“It will be a tough task to get by these guys,” Thompson said. “They run to the football defensively just like we do. They have a big offensive line and they spread the field. I would compare them to Silsbee. They live on the big play.”

Junior Jimmie Woods leads the Tiger offense and according to Thompson, has a pretty good arm. They also have two good running backs in Benjamin Baylor and Dontre Elliott, as well as four “go to” receivers in Antoine Thompson, Cameron Branch, Markese Holmes and Robert McGrew.

“We can’t give up the big play,” Thompson said. “And we can’t be shell-shocked over them scoring points. They are a pretty good, well-balanced team with a lot of size.”

Eleven Mustangs scored Thursday night, including a defensive touchdown. Thomas Wallace hit the end zone on the first play from scrimmage when quarterback Jack Dallas passed to Wallace who ran right down the sideline for the score. On the Spartans next play after the kick-off, Scarborough quarterback Jared Holley fumbled the ball and Aric Cormier finally got his hands on it and took it in to put the Mustangs up, 14-0.

It took two plays for the Mustangs to hit the end zone again on a Dallas pass to Keion Hancock for a 39 yard touchdown pass. Dallas’ third pass of the game was also a touchdown, a 59 yarder to KJ Miller. WO-S then went to their ground game and Jeremiah Shaw had the first rushing score of the night from 38 yards out. Shaw finished the game with three carries for 47 yards.

Payton Robertson took over for Dallas in the second quarter and on his second play to navigate, handed off to Malech Edwards who took the ball 37 yards for six points. Kicker Ryan Baham-Heisser’s PAT was good and the Mustangs led, 40-0. The Mustangs scored their last touchdown of the half with freshman Ja’Vonn Ross who toted the ball across the goal line from 5 yards out. Robertson had a 32 yard quarterback keeper to set up Ross’ score.

Despite a running clock the second half, WO-S was able to put two more touchdowns and a field goal on the board. In his first varsity game, Jamarcus Joulevette scored from 11 yards out. Quenton Chargois scored the last touchdown of the game, running through several Spartan defenders 61 yards for six. The Mustangs attempted three field goals with Baham-Heisser making a 22 yarder.

The Chain Gang defense held Scarborough to -39 yards and no first downs, while the WO-S offense racked up 461 yards.

Tickets for this weeks’ game will be on sale Thursday, 9-12 and 1-3pm and Friday, 9-12. Presale prices are $6 for adults and $4 for students, with all tickets $8 at the gate. The Mustangs will be the visiting team. Directions to the Ray Maddry Memorial Stadium (1100 Sheldon Rd., Channelview, TX) are as follows: Take I-10W towards Houston. Take exit 783 towards Sheldon Road. Turn right on Sheldon Road and the stadium is on the right.