Last year started out with the disaster of Tropical Storm Harvey and ended with the West Orange-Stark Mustangs playing in another state championship game for the fourth straight season. Preseason polls have the Mustangs picked at the top of Class 4-A, Division II again this year.
Head Coach Cornel Thompson looked at his returning leaders for this season and is pleased to see running back Kavyn Cooper in the backfield. Cooper was the leading Mustang rusher last season and is back for his third year. The coach is moving Cooper from an inside linebacker to outside linebacker to keep the big 300-pound linemen from pounding on him when he plays defense.
Ja’Corry Brady returns for a third season starting in the defensive and offensive lines. He will be the right tackle on offense and noseguard on defense. Thompson said, “Those are two guys that are predominately offensive guys that are coming back.”
Defense has been the key for past teams at West Orange-Stark, and Thompson checked out the defensive starters returning. Teshaun Teel will play safety in his third year on the varsity and should be the Mustangs’ bell-cow in the secondary. Thompson is looking for great things and more leadership out of Teel.
Brady and Teel are two of only three starters back for West Orange-Stark on defense. Cornerback Ja’Vonn Ross is the other one starting 14 games last year.
There are some solid younger Mustangs that will play for Coach Thompson, first Justin Sibley who did see playing time last season will be a two-way player this year. Sibley had a great spring and an outstanding track season. He will serve as a backup running back, has improved his hands as a slot receiver, and will be a rover on defense.
Big things are looked for out of the Mustangs’ new quarterback Tyrone Wilson. He has taken ownership of the position and given some leadership on the offensive side of the ball. “I believe he’s getting better with each and every practice,” Thompson analyzed.
On defense for West Orange-Stark Keontae Strother has looked good and could step into the starting lineup at one of the linebacker positions. Renaldo Rose at a cornerback position should see plenty of playing time.
Separating the prospects from the suspects to fill the holes left by graduation is the task for Thompson and his staff over the next two or three weeks. On offense the Mustangs do not have a go to wide receiver. Right now, they have a number of wide retrievers according to Coach Thompson who need to catch the ball more instead of retrieving it on the ground.
Defensive end positions and the defensive secondary need some players to step up. Thompson pointed out, “We’ve got some people that can, we’ll just find out if they will so that’s what our scrimmages are about.”
The Mustangs’ district has been re-aligned. Coach Thompson evaluated the opposition in District 10-4A, Division 2. Orangefield has dropped down, and Silsbee has moved into the district. The Tigers will be the district opener for the Mustangs.
Thompson believes the district will be stronger than ever. Coach Dwayne DuBois has returned to Hardin-Jefferson which should make the Hawks better. Liberty has tasted the playoffs and have key players back as well. “I think the old district is going to be a little bit saltier than it was,” Thompson concluded.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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