(Mandel King)
The West Orange-Stark Mustangs are in pretty good shape as they head into the start of district games. Keion Hancock is the only player who has seen significant playing time who is out right now for the Mustangs.
Coach Cornel Thompson says West Orange-Stark will play a much improved Liberty Panthers team to open district. Thompson sees quarterback Tino Briggs as the central figure in the Panther offense. Liberty also has J. J. Arrington at running back and Jarius Hill at wide receiver that the Mustangs will need to account for when the Panthers have the football. Thompson predicted in a preseason poll that Liberty would be the most improved team in the district.
With a record of 5-1 the Mustangs are playing well too, but Coach Thompson states there is room for improvement with the district games starting. Thompson observes that the kicking game still needs work. Place kicking chores are being handled by Jack Dallas and Ryan Raham-Hesser with good success. Punt and kickoff coverage as well as Mustang returns on both require improvement for West Orange-Stark to achieve the successes of previous seasons. Thompson is pleased with the progress being shown by the offensive line. The Mustangs are still playing a little spotty on defense which Thompson attributes to their youth especially in the secondary. There is plenty of room for improvement in all phases of the game according to the coach.
The Mustangs must go on the road to Liberty for the district opener which Thompson indicates has been a bit of a sore point for West Orange-Stark so far this year. Thompson believes it’s time for the players to mature and prove they can play eight quarters of football in a row. Thompson concedes the Mustangs played a full game against Newton last week, but adds that West Orange-Stark has yet to play on the road in the first half of any game this year at Port Neches, at Silsbee, or against Foster. The first halves of every game played away from the friendly confines of Dan R. Hooks Stadium have been below par for the Mustangs. Coach Thompson is looking for the Mustangs to play the first two quarters at Liberty like they’re capable of playing and finish up with a strong effort in the third and fourth quarters.
The first game of district will be Friday night when the West Orange-Stark Mustangs play the Liberty Panthers.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
Social Media