Last week was the opening round of the state playoffs for West Orange-Stark. Coach Cornel Thompson said the Mustangs came through the game with no serious injuries and lots of players getting to see action in the game. Almost everybody that traveled with the Mustangs last week got on the field and that is always good for team morale. Thompson added, “And we’re still alive in the playoffs.”
The competition definitely gets tougher this week with Mexia. Thompson indicated the Blackcats put some good athletes on the field especially on offense. Mexia is a mirror image of West Orange-Stark with three wide receivers and two backs in the Spread formation. The Blackcats can match the Mustangs’ speed and athleticism as well. “They like to stretch the field vertically, so they’re really a concern for us,” Thompson confessed.
Of greatest concern for the coach is Blackcat quarterback Travion Carter. He can throw the ball deep to his wide receivers especially Davion Carter and Ty Williams who are fast and tall. If he has no receivers to throw the ball, Travion Carter can turn a bad play into a good play with his ability to scramble like the Mustangs’ Chaka Watson. Another weapon is Jadrian Smith at tailback for Mexia.
Coach Thompson points out the two teams use the same formation, the 50, on defense. The Blackcats are big in the defensive line and very athletic in the secondary. West Orange-Stark’s ability to break any plays against a defense with so many athletes has Thompson concerned. “They are really one of the best teams athletically compared to Kennedale that we’ve played this year.”
Noseguard Arik Medlock did not play in the Bi-District, but he is a bull-rusher in the middle of the Blackcats’ D-Line and could possibly play Friday against WO-S. Jekahre Hackett replaced Medlock in the middle last week, and he is a load whether at tackle or noseguard. At the other tackle is Jaidon Ardister, the smallest of the trio at 235 pounds.
The talented secondary is made up of the skill players on the Mexia offense. Leading them is Jaquay Martin at strong safety who was all-district last season for the Blackcats.
West Orange-Stark is putting its long winning streak on the line against a very good Mexia team. Thompson provided the keys for the Mustangs to advance to the next round of the playoffs. He mentioned as always winning the offense, defense, and kicking games, but the coach emphasized staying in the fight for 48 minutes. A game is a series of peaks and valleys, something bad may happen early, but the good teams fight back to get the momentum on their side again. “If you stay in the fight for 48 minutes, the team that does that longer will earn the victory on Friday night,” Thompson concluded.
The West Orange-Stark Mustangs and the Mexia Blackcats play Friday night in Conroe. The game starts at 7:00 PM and will be carried live on KOGT.
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