The West Orange-Stark Mustangs have not started this season as they have in previous years during their illustrious history. The Mustangs lost their third game out of four.
Coach Cornel Thompson is shaking his head in evaluating the team’s performance against a very good Crosby ball club. The Mustangs played exceptionally well in the first half against the Class 5A Cougars taking a 17-7 lead. The reverse was true in the second half as Thompson said WO-S laid an egg turning the ball over four times and surrendering 28 straight points.
Personnel changes will be seen on defense for the Mustangs according to the coach. There will be at least one change on offense. “Quarterback situation, Tyrone Wilson will start this week,” Thompson informed. Coming up to the varsity is Elijah Gales who has been running extremely well in sub-varsity games.
Friday night West Orange-Stark plays Bridge City. Thompson reviewed the Cardinal’s Slot-T offense. It is a tight formation emphasizing ball control which the Cardinals do well. The coach is concerned the probable muddy conditions at game time could play in the Cardinals’ favor. Thompson predicted, “They’re going to try to keep the ball away from us, I think because of what they do on offense advantage goes to Bridge City.”
Leading the running game for the Cardinals is fullback Andy Lara. Thompson compares him to a tackle carrying the football, and he is difficulty to bring down. At a halfback position is Gavin Villanueva to give Bridge City an outside running threat.
With another change in quarterback the Mustangs hope to see a repeat of their Week 2 performance when they scored 47 points. West Orange-Stark will be facing a defense they are familiar with seeing it in every practice.
Bridge City has incorporated the same 50 Defense that has been used at West Orange-Stark since the 1970s. Thompson stated, “That’s what they do on the defensive side of the ball.” Several members on the Bridge City coaching staff previously worked for West Orange-Stark.
The Cardinals have a couple of standouts that Coach Thompson observed in the Bridge City defense. Adam Snyder plays defensive end and is very quick. The big guy anchoring the Cardinals’ defensive line is Kevin Ross at noseguard.
Thompson is counting on improvement from WOS before the games really start to count with the beginning of district in a couple of weeks. The Mustangs will travel to Jasper after Friday’s game with Bridge City.
Leadership is what Coach Thompson is looking for in the final two non-district games, especially from his seniors. “We’re having a hard time finding the right combination if it’s even there. For us to find it we’ve got to have some leadership out of some people who’ve been there and we’re not getting that right now,” Thompson concluded.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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