Mustang Insider

WOS Mustang defenders Malick Phillips (7) and Dominic Tezeno (5) takes down Orangefield Bobcat ball carrier Matthew Watkins. The Mustangs defeated the Bobcats 37-3. RECORD PHOTO: Darren Hoyland

Meri Elen Jacobs - For The Record

It was a typical match-up between the Orangefield Bobcats and the West Orange-Stark Mustangs. Not a lot of razzle dazzle, just good hard-nosed football on a beautiful Homecoming night and a 37-3 win for the Mustangs to make it even better.

“I was really proud of the kids,” Head Coach Cornel Thompson said. “I thought the kids were focused as well as they have ever been in a homecoming game. We played good on offense and defensively we played pretty dang good. We were able to stop them early and force a field goal instead of allowing a touchdown.”

The Bobcats took the opening kickoff and moved the ball down the field on the ground to the 28 yard line before Matthew Rainey was forced to kick a field goal on fourth down.

“Orangefield’s offense is very difficult to prepare for,” Thompson said. “Coach Smalley and his staff do a great job with that offense.”

The Mustangs didn’t get on the board until the second quarter when Justin Brown pushed his way through the middle form 2 yards out to score. The rush by Jack Dallas for the two point conversion was good. The Mustangs finally got their hands back on the ball late in the second quarter but it was just enough time to move the ball down the field using the pass game with a variety of receivers before Dallas was abole to hit Thomas Wallace for an 8 yard touchdown with 19 seconds left on the clock. Kentavious Miller’s pass to Aric Cormier was good for two and the Mustangs headed into the field house up, 16-3.

The second half was all WO-S as the Mustangs put 21 more points on the board before the final buzzer sounded.

“Our conditioning mentally and physically took over in the second half,” Thompson said.

Orangefield tried a little trickery to start the second half by kicking and recovering an onside kick. However, the ball went over to the Mustangs on downs four plays later and the Mustangs moved the ball down the field and on fourth down, Dallas hit Kentavious Miller for an 11 yard touchdown pass. The two point conversion pass from Dallas to Cormier was good and the Mustangs led 24-3.

The Mustangs were able to score on their next possession when Dallas hit a wide open Payton Robertson for a 10 yard touchdown. Dallas’s PAT was good and the Mustangs led, 31-3.

Malech Edwards got in on the scoring on the Mustangs’ next offensive play when he took the handoff from Payton Robertson and zipped 39 yards for the score.

Next up for the Mustangs are the Hamshire Fannett Longhorns. The Longhorns, 5-2, are led by senior quarterback Kendal King. Most recently they beat Hardin Jefferson, 42-38 and are 1-0 in district.

“King carries the ball 4 out of every 5 plays,” Thompson said. “They are a power option offense and they have 24 seniors that will get after it with their size, speed, toughness and quickness. They have 3-5 starters that have started since they were freshmen and they know how to play the game.”

The Longhorns scored 21 points on the Mustangs last year. They got beat by LaMarque in the round before the Mustangs beat LaMarque.

“If we are going to win another district championship, we need to win Friday so we can finalize it in week four (of district),” Thompson said.

Because of district rules, no tickets will go on sale for the away games. Tickets are $4 for adults and $2 for students and the gates will open an hour prior to game time.

The combined team of freshmen and JV beat Orangefield last week, 48-0.

Chaka Watson scored first on a 42 yard run and then converted the two points.

Lunden Toussiant scored on a 38 yard TD run and Brettlin White scored from 33 yards out.

Watson connected with Dashawn Holt for a 10 yard touchdown pass and Alex Williams scored the two point conversion.

Kedrick Harris returned a fumble 32 yards for a score and Toussiant scored again from 4 yards out and also a two point conversion.

Alex Williams recovered a fumble and returned it 16 yards for the touchdown.

Offensive standouts are Watson, Toussiant, White, Holt, Williams and Adrik Mims.

Standouts on defense are Ja’Corry Brady, Davien Teate, Herzel Washington, Teshaun Teel, Kedrick Harris and Jamarcus Joulevette.

The 9/JV combined team will play their last home game Thursday at 5:30.

This Friday is “Light Up the Longhorns!!” Wear neon and glow accessories to show your support for the Mustangs.