The West Orange-Stark Mustangs took a big step last week to winning another district championship with a decisive win over the Liberty Panthers. There is one more hurdle this week before a championship can be celebrated. The Mustangs close out the regular season with the Orangefield Bobcats.
Coach Cornel Thompson analyzes the Orangefield offense which runs the old school Slot T. Thompson believes Christian Louvier at quarterback does a good job running the offense. The coach notes in the Bobcats’ Slot T they find a running back that can take a snap and execute their running game.
Joining Louvier in the backfield are a trio of quality runners. Dylan Williams is a slot back the Mustangs must deal with on buck sweeps and plays on the outside. The fullback is Blake Bradley, and he is a force on quick traps as well as being a very good blocker. Coach Thompson really likes Zach Dischler at the other slot back position, commenting that Dischler has always been consistently good. “I wish we had him on our team, I’m impressed with him,” Thompson admitted.
Thompson brought up Dischler’s name again when he talked about the Bobcats’ defense. Dischler has played several positions on defense during his four years on the varsity and is a leader as represented by his being one of their captains. Blake and Williams are two-way starters both at linebacker positions.
Orangefield uses a 4-3 formation on defense. The Bobcats have their big people up front in the four-man defensive line. Defensive coordinator John Davis does a good job coaching the Bobcats’ particular scheme of the 4-3. Thompson complimented, “I believe that they do a great job with what they have.”
Friday’s contest will determine the district champion. West Orange-Stark is the only undefeated team in the district with one game to play. Both Orangefield and Liberty have one loss. A win by Orangefield would create a three-way tie for first place with point differential to determine the seeding.
Coach Thompson is preparing the Mustangs to win the title, but also to be ready for the next step, the playoffs. The game before the playoffs the Mustangs do not want to lay an egg or back their way into the post season. The coach stated a number of players matured last week in the key victory over Liberty.
This week Coach Thompson is looking for the offensive line to come together and play better. He wants improvement in the WO-S kicking game. “Not that our defense can’t improve, but we’ve got to continue to play hard for 48 minutes,” Thompson concluded.
The West Orange-Stark Mustangs play the Orangefield Bobcats Friday night. The kickoff will be at 7:30 PM in West Orange at Dan R. Hooks Stadium.
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