It’s the third round of the state playoffs and the competition this week is a reunion of sorts for the West Orange-Stark Mustangs when they face the La Marque Cougars. The two teams have played several classic games in the post season according to Mustangs’ Coach Cornel Thompson. “We’re happy to be in the third round now, but they’re a formidable opponent they’ve been here many, many times,” Thompson states. “They’re picked to beat us, was originally in Texas Football to beat us in the fourth round, but we’re meeting in the third round, they’ve got speed we do too, they’re large got size, we feel like we’re happy to be here right now.” The Cougars have speed at every position on offense, so Coach Thompson says the Mustangs cannot concentrate on stopping just one La Marque player. The Cougars run from a Wing T philosophy with a little bit of Spread added to it. The Cougars have outstanding speed from their two wing backs and tailback. Alan Cooper (#22), Daequan Jones (#24), and Laderrian Ellis-Jones (#6) can all fly. Thompson says the Mustangs must read their keys properly and run to the ball. Coach Thompson anticipates a heck of a game Friday night and thinks La Marque will score some points, but hopefully West Orange-Stark will too. Both the Mustangs and the Cougars have had strong defenses in the past, Thompson believes that has not changed for La Marque. The Cougars play a 4-2-5 formation on defense, they have plenty of size in the defensive line, and they run to the ball like the West Orange-Stark “Chain Gang Defense”. Thompson points out the Cougars’ defense has got the whole package, they defend the run well and the pass well. It will be a battle Friday night. Coach Thompson gives the keys that will hopefully tip the game in the Mustangs’ favor. Improvement in the kicking game especially coverage on kickoffs is imperative after Giddings last week returned two kicks almost for scores. Thompson adds the Mustangs cannot afford any cheap turnovers, must move the ball consistently on offense either running or throwing which ever La Marque gives them, and do a great job on defense of tackling their speed. The West Orange-Stark Mustangs play the La Marque Cougars Friday night at 7 in Baytown’s Stallworth Stadium and live on KOGT.
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