The first round of the playoffs was another blowout for the West Orange-Stark Mustangs. They’re excited to face this weeks opponent but even more excited that they get to face a team that doesn’t run the Slot T, something they’ve faced almost every week.
This Friday’s opponent will be Robinson, and the Rockets live up to their nickname as they are very explosive on offense. They average 51 points per game this season including 77 in the first round of the playoffs against Caldwell. Robinson averages 372 yards passing and 150 yards running a game.
Spotlighting the stars on the Rockets’ offense is no easy task for Thompson. Their quarterback Chase Allison is Coach Tommy Allison’s son. Chase has thrown for more than 4,000 yards and over 50 touchdowns this season. The leading receiver Braxton Ashcraft has surpassed 2,000 yards receiving already. Isaiah Houston comes out of the backfield to catch the ball, and Rhett Roznos at wide receiver position is another deep threat Allison looks to for the big play. Thompson sums up, “They’re a very good offensive football team.”
Robinson may be led by its offense, but their defense is not to be trifled with according to Coach Thompson. The Rockets use a 50 Eagle as their base defense, but will seldom lineup in the same formation on consecutive plays. Thompson points out the Rockets will bring their inside and outside linebackers on blitzes. “We’ve got to be able to have gap control and protect our passer when we go to throw the ball,” Thompson analyzes.
It is a pressure defense with man-to-man coverage in the secondary. Taten Wiley and Isaiah Montgomery are the leaders in the secondary along with Ashcraft who all play two-way.
The competition gets tougher in the Area Round of the playoffs. Thompson evaluates what the Mustangs must do to advance to the third round of the state playoffs. Defensively West Orange-Stark, giving up just 3 points per game with eight shutouts, wants to eliminate or at least limit the Rockets’ big plays which they live by. Make them bleed slowly will be the key, according to Thompson. On offense the Mustangs must take advantage of every opportunity to score whether it be by passing, running, or on kick returns. Special teams have been performing well on kick returns, but Coach Thompson emphasizes the Mustangs kicking point afters and field goals must get better.
There were minor injuries for the Mustangs in the win against Tarkington. Davien Teate and Jay’len Matthews both have sore ankles. Blake Robinson had a severe thigh bruise. Hopefully, all will be healed up in time for this week’s game.
Coach Cornel Thompson indicates Justin Brown is still a few weeks away from returning to practice following his broken arm a month ago. Brown is scheduled to go back to the doctor next week for a checkup on the arm, but is still probably three weeks away from being available to the Mustangs at his linebacker position. Thompson expressed, “Hopefully we’ll get him back if we can play long enough because he’s kind of our leader on defense and we miss him.”
The West Orange-Stark Mustangs play the Robinson Rockets in Shenandoah Friday night at 7:30. The game will be carried live on KOGT. A rebroadcast of the contest will be aired at 7:00 AM on Saturday.
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