The West Orange Stark Mustangs concluded the regular season last week with an impressive win to clinch district. West Orange-Stark is fortunate entering the playoffs with a minimum of players on the injured list, one lost early in the season and one other player with a high ankle sprain that could return in the next two to three weeks.
Coach Cornel Thompson evaluated the Mustangs as they prepare for the third phase of the year, the playoffs. They played a good, clean, swift game which makes two weeks in a row of decisive district victories against Liberty and Orangefield. Thompson commented, “We’re happy to be the district champs once again.”
The first-round opponent for West Orange-Stark is Brookshire Royal. Thompson analyzed the Falcons which operate from the Spread. Brookshire Royal runs the ball, but will also throw it. The Falcons have several very fine athletes and some size in the offensive line. “They will be a good first round opponent,” Thompson predicted.
The athlete that stands out the most on videotapes of Brookshire Royal is sophomore Joseph Comeaux. At 5-8 and 150 pounds, Comeaux is not very big, but he makes up for it with blazing speed which the Falcons use by lining him up in multiple positions from running back to wide receiver. Thompson indicated Comeaux will get the ball half the plays and maybe even 60 percent of the time. Comeaux is also dangerous on return teams.
Brookshire Royal plays an aggressive, attacking defense according to Coach Thompson. The Falcons appear to base out of a 4-3, however, Thompson pointed out they often look like a stirred-up ant bed prior to the snap with players shifting all over the field. They are always coming at the line of scrimmage trying to fill the gaps. Thompson summarized, “They are a pressure defense, man-to-man, come after you, you know sick ‘em type defense.”
Just like on offense, Comeaux is a leader on defense for Brookshire Royal from his safety position. Two big offensive linemen also play on defense and anchor the middle of the Falcons’ defense. Francisco Infante is a strong defender from his position at tackle, and Keitrel Cotton is massive at noseguard. Trey Jones at defensive end is athletic and could be a problem for the Mustangs.
The Mustangs have won the state championship the last two years, but Thompson is preaching to them not to take any opponent lightly including the Falcons this week. The coach reminded that every year in the Bi-District round there is somebody that is expected to win who goes home early. He does not want West Orange-Stark to be the one this year.
Back-to-back impressive wins has Thompson feeling better about West Orange-Stark’s progress entering the playoffs. Coach Thompson stated that the last two weeks the Mustangs started to mature a little bit, understand what the game is about, and have a little different look in their eyes. He added everybody has been wanting to talk about the playoffs since August, and now they are here. “It’s playoff season and the keys are like always offense, defense, kicking game,” Thompson concluded.
The West Orange-Stark Mustangs play the Brookshire Royal Falcons on Thursday at 7:00 PM. The Bi-District game will be played at Stallworth Stadium in Baytown and will be broadcast live on KOGT.
Social Media