It was a “bend don’t break” performance for the West Orange-Stark defense as the Mustangs held off Liberty 33-24 on Senior Night at Dan Hooks Stadium.
Tied at three in the first half, the Mustangs forced a fumble that was recovered by senior Renaldo Rose. Jamarcus Ross scored two plays later. Angel Ibarra’s kick made it 10-3.
Liberty’s offense came alive on the next possession and drove all the way to the one. On second and goal QB J.J. Slack fumbled and senior Teshaun Teel scooped and scored from 99 yards to make it 17-3.
The Panthers responded after the Mustangs failed attempt on a fourth and three to make it 17-10 but they left too much time on the clock.
WOS drove 78 yards in less than two minutes and QB Tyrone Wilson ran in from seven to give WOS a 24-10 halftime lead.
The Mustangs took their first possession of the second half and capped a six play 72 yard drive with a two yd. TD by freshman RB Elijah Gales to increase the lead to 31-10.
You would assume a 21 point lead was safe for the Mustangs. Especially when Liberty was faced with a third and 34 after three straight offensive penalties. But a long pass play and a fourth down conversion seemed to spark the Panthers as Slack scored from 20 yards two plays later.
The next Liberty possession Slack drove them downfield and then scored untouched from 27 yards and all of a sudden it was a seven point lead with 8:24 remaining.
The Mustangs needed a long drive to keep Liberty’s offense off the field and they got it with a 14 play, six minute drive. But they didn’t score. The drive stalled at the Liberty 35 and WOS elected to punt.
The punt was high by Ibarra and when it came down it brushed the back of a Liberty player making it a live ball. After a scramble the Panthers recovered, but it was on their own two yard line with 2:10 left.
The WOS defense would then seal the deal with a safety after tackling Slack in the end zone.
WOS was playing without running backs Kavyn Cooper and Justin Sibley who were nursing injuries.
The win secured another district title for the Mustangs (5-4, 3-0). They’ll wrap up the regular season at Hamshire-Fannett on Friday.
Some of the Senior Photos can be seen here
Senior Mustang Football Players
8-Justin Sibley
16-Brettlin Wiley
19-Deiondre Hawthorne
22-Renaldo Rose
23-Kavyn Cooper
25-Teshaun Teal
28-JaVonn Ross
29-Jay’zn Robinson
34-Lande Butler
49-BJan Arvie
58-JaCorry Brady
77-Eric Robertson
88-Garrett Dixon
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