It took overtime, but the West Orange-Stark Mustangs kept their winning streak alive with a 23-20 win over the Kennedale Wildcats last Friday night. The streak is now at 31 straight victories. Coach Cornel Thompson said the Mustangs have successfully completed the first phase of the season. Thompson added that the players are in good shape with just the normal bumps and bruises expected through this part of the year.
Friday night starts the second phase of the season for the Mustangs which is the district, and these are the games for which all the hard work in practice has been done. Thompson checked out the Hamshire-Fannett Longhorns on offense. The Longhorns use two tight ends and two cobras or running backs from a shotgun formation. Thompson emphasized, “They are a running football team.”
Tailback Tyrese White has been a starter the last three seasons for Hamshire-Fannett. He currently leads all the rushers in the district for yards gained in games played leading up to the start of district. White will get the ball most of the time, but Tiler Paine at fullback will get his share of carries.
The Longhorns line up like the Mustangs on defense with an odd man front according to Thompson. Their 50 defensive alignment mirrors that of West Orange-Stark. Hamshire-Fannett returns seven starters on defense.
Another three-year starter for the Longhorns is Reece Rubio at middle linebacker. Rubio is their bell cow on defense. The noseguard Mason Dubois is a big youngster at 260 pounds anchoring the defensive line for Hamshire-Fannett. Several Longhorns go both ways including White at outside linebacker.
Coming into district play Hamshire-Fannett is 2-3, and the Longhorns are much improved from previous seasons in the opinion of Thompson with a full offseason of work under Coach Bill Jehling. “They’re a team we’ve got to deal with for four quarters, that’s what we’re going to go over there and attempt to do Friday night,” Thompson advised.
This is the start of district action, and West Orange-Stark wants to begin it with a solid showing. To win the game the Mustangs must take two of the three phases of the contest. The kicking game is still stressing the coach especially the Mustangs’ kick coverage. He was optimistic on the play of kicker Chad Dallas in the Kennedale game. Dallas kicked a key field goal which should be a confidence builder for him and successfully converted his two point-after attempts.
The defense is still in flux for the Mustangs. There will be at least two new starters on defense for West Orange-Stark Friday night. Thompson is still searching for a true identity for the Chain Gang.
The most exciting play for the Mustangs’ offense right now is the shotgun snap from the center to the quarterback. Several errant snaps against Kennedale cost West Orange-Stark valuable yardage. Coach Thompson sees no excuse for bad snaps and believes it comes down to a lack of concentration. He has used two centers in the hope of solving the problem. “One of them has got to come through and get the snap to the quarterback.” Thompson concluded.
The West Orange-Stark Mustangs play at Hamshire-Fannett Friday night. The kickoff between the Mustangs and Longhorns will be at 7:30 PM.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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The WO-S High School Homecoming Parade is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 16 at 6:30 p.m.
Organizations interested in participating in the parade should contact Stephanie Garza at the High School at stga@woccisd.net or at 409-882-5570.
Vehicles pulling floats, flat beds, and decorated automobiles will be the only type of vehicles allowed to participate. For safety reasons, 4-wheelers, go carts, golf carts, or similar vehicles will NOT be allowed.
The deadline for all parade entries is Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. There is no cost to enter.
The parade line up will begin at 6 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church. It will travel Western Avenue to Newton Avenue, and then turn left and travel to West Orange – Stark High School.
A community pep rally will follow the parade.
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Varsity Football tickets for the home WOS vs. Hardin-Jefferson Homecoming game on Friday, October 20 @ 7:30pm will be on sale in the Athletic Office the following dates and times:
Wednesday, October 18th from 9-12 & 1-3pm
Thursday, October 19th from 9-12 ONLY
There will NOT be any ticket sales on Friday, October 20th.
Tickets are $5 for Reserved and $3 for the student section. All tickets at the gate are $5.
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