Mustang Insider

WOS Mustang sophomore Jarron Morris and junior Jalen Powdrill tackle Wharton's running back. The Chain Gang defense held the Tigers to 206 yards. RECORD PHOTO: Meri Elen Jacobs

Meri Elen Jacobs - For The Record

Although the Wharton Tigers “trash talked” the Mustangs all last week, the Mustangs kept quiet and let the silver helmet do the talking Friday night as they beat the Tigers, 47-15 to advance to the regional round of the playoffs. WO-S will meet Caldwell at 7pm Friday in New Caney at Texas Drive Stadium after Caldwell defeated LaMarque in the last minute of their game, 42-39.

“I am thrilled with the victory and that we are still alive,” Head Coach Cornel Thompson said. “I was happy with the first half effort but we made too many mental mistakes that caused physical mistakes in the second half.”

The Mustangs led at the end of the first quarter 14-2. On their first possession, quarterback Jack Dallas led his offense down the field, going 62 yards in nine plays, before junior Keion Hancock crossed the goal line from 14 yards out. Dallas’ pass to receiver Aric Cormier was good for the two point conversion.

The Chain Gang defense held the explosive Tiger offense to three and out and WO-S took only four plays before Dallas hit Thomas Wallace in the endzone for six points from the 13 yard line. Wharton moved the ball down the field but sophomore Jarron Morris spoiled the drive when he intercepted Tiger Jimmie Woods on the four yard line.

On the next play Dallas was sacked in the end zone and the Tigers got on the board for a two point safety. However, the Mustang defense held Wharton and sacked Woods on fourth down to take control of the ball.

It only took six plays and a couple of minutes into the second quarter for Jeremiah Shaw to get loose and run the ball 38 yards for the score. Dallas took the ball in for the two point conversion. The next possession for WO-S turned into another score as receiver KJ Miller put six on the board on a 21 yard pass from Dallas. The two point conversion failed.

Just as the Tigers thought they might score, Justin Brown stepped in front of the ball and intercepted it, returning it 36 yards to put the Mustang offense at the middle of the field. It only took Dallas one play to hit Hancock for his second touchdown of the night from 51 yards out.

The Tigers next possession was spoiled by none other than Morris as he intercepted Woods for the second time. Two plays later, Wallace caught a 15 yard Dallas pass to put the ‘Stangs up, 40-2 before heading to the locker room.

The second half, the Mustangs only scored once on a 13 yard run by Shaw. Hancock attempted the extra point and made it, putting WO-S up, 47-2. Late in the game, Wharton scored twice before the final seconds ticked off the clock.

“We looked like we relaxed in the second half and gave up two touchdowns,” Thompson said. “We cannot play in the playoffs like we did in the second half. We have to play 48 miutes. We are playing another very good spread team in Caldwell. They are very well coached and physical and have a good program.”

The Caldwell Hornets are led by senior quarterback Joseph Crnkovic, who would rather pass than run, but has the ability to tuck it and go if necessary. Brothers Keyshawn and Domonique Chambers and Curtis Williams are all threats on the offense. Keyshawn Chambers touchdown with 54 seconds left put the Hornets up over LaMarque and bother Domonique’s interception with 36 seconds left sealed the deal.

The Hornets are led defensively by middle linebacker, Mike Ashley. Domonique Chambers also is a threat as safety in the secondary.

The Mustangs beat Caldwell in the playoffs in 2008, 37-7.

Tickets were only on sale this past Monday. They can be purchased at the gate for $8. Directions from the south are as follows: Take US 59 North out of Houston towards New Caney. Exit FM 1485 and make a U-turn at FM 1485. Continue on US 59 South feeder road for approximately 1 ¼ miles. Turn right onto Valley Ranch Parkway into the Stadium. Coming from the north, take US 59 South and exit FM 1485. Continue on the service road for approximately 1 ¼ miles. Turn right onto Valley Ranch Parkway to enter the stadium. Parking for the Mustang fans, who are the visiting team will be on the East side of the stadium where you pull in from Texan Drive Stadium.

**Note: If you are using a GPS, please do not put in the stadium address. Many systems are not yet updated. It is best to use the address for Porter Glass and Mirror (21262 US 59, New Caney, Texas 77357), located just at the corner of US 59 S and Valley Ranch Parkway.