This week is the third round of the state playoffs. The West Orange-Stark Mustangs made it to the third round with a tough physical win over Sweeny.
Starting quarterback Tyrone Wilson was injured in the game. Coach Cornel Thompson said Wilson’s status is unknown at this time, but he added in the playoffs anybody that can walk can play. “This is the Texas high school playoffs, the lame shall walk, and the bone ain’t sticking out. We’ve got some people with bumps and bruises this time of the year, but they’ve got to play,” Thompson emphasized. Jerren Terrell will be ready to step in at quarterback as he has done this season if Wilson cannot start.
The opponent this week is a very familiar one, Jasper. The Bulldogs beat the Mustangs in Week 6. Thompson analyzed the Bulldogs like to run the ball on offense. Their main weapon in the first meeting Montavien Hunt has missed the last two games with an ankle injury. Hunt’s status like that of the Mustangs’ Wilson may not be known until game time.
Jasper bases out of the Slot-T, but will show variations off of that offense. The Bulldogs use multiple sets lining up with from three to no backs behind the quarterback. The key according to the coach is the Mustangs’ defense must line up properly against them. Thompson admitted West Orange-Stark did not do a very good job of that in the first meeting.
The Bulldogs have some athletic personnel and a large number of quality players they can just reload with if someone does go down. If Hunt is not able to play this week Jasper might use one of the running backs from the junior varsity Carl Limbrick. Thompson advised, “He’s big and he can run.”
West Orange-Stark and Jasper use similar 50 Defenses according to Coach Thompson. The Bulldogs return five starters from last season so they are experienced on that side of the football. They have people that can run on defense who make it difficult to move the ball against them.
The leader on defense is linebacker William Bluitt who played well in the first meeting this season against West Orange-Stark. The big noseguard Jacorian Limbrick gave the Mustangs trouble blocking him during the loss in Week 6. “We’ve got to try to control the ball on offense, block their people, get on our blocks and sustain them,” Thompson stated.
There has been a history of post season games between the Mustangs and the Bulldogs with the two schools playing this week for the seventh time in the playoffs. West Orange-Stark has won most of them taking five out the first six contests, but Thompson is not taking anything for granted this week. Coach Thompson pointed out, “We’ve been fortunate to have been successful, and believe me they know that, they’re going to come running and we better bring our A-game also.”
The first meeting this season between the two schools is one Coach Thompson would like to put behind him. A victory this week would go a long way to doing just that.
The main key for West Orange-Stark is tackling better than it did in the first meeting in Jasper. The Bulldogs’ Hunt busted a long run for a touchdown on their first play from scrimmage. He broke three big runs for scores, and Jasper had 377 yards rushing in the game. “That’s unacceptable to give up that many yards to anybody. We need to cut that production in half,” Thompson concluded.
The re-match between West Orange-Stark and Jasper will be carried live on KOGT from Lamar University in Beaumont. The kickoff will be at 7:30 on Friday night. Pregame will start at 7:15.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
Pictured: Deiondr’e Hawthorne catches a pass against the Dogs in October.
Third round schedule-
Friday
5A D2 – PNG vs FB Marshall, 7:30, Baytown
4A D2 – WOS vs Jasper, 7:30, Lamar U.
4A D2 – Silsbee vs Giddings, 7:30, Porter
3A D1 – East Chambers vs Cameron Yoe, 7pm, Shenandoah
3A D2 – Newton vs Troup, 7pm, Nacogdoches (SFA)
2A D1 – San Augustine vs Garrision, 7pm, Nacogdoches HS
2A D2 – Evadale vs Muenster, 7pm, Athens
Saturday
6A D2 – West Brook vs Katy Tompkins, 6pm, NRG
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