The bi-district game for West Orange-Stark was a convincing victory over LaMarque. The Mustangs shutout the Cougars 49-0 for their second straight shutout.
Coach Cornel Thompson reported unfortunately two starters for the Mustangs Jamaal Shaw and Evan Gray were injured in the game. Shaw has a strained MCL and is big question mark for the next game. Gray suffered a head injury and is in concussion protocol this week. It is doubtful that either player will be available for Friday’s game.
Other Mustangs will need to step up according to Thompson. The coach told the players early in the week that this is common after a long season and moving into the playoffs with injuries or grades taking starters out of the lineup. Thompson emphasized, “Some people have got to come forward and that’s what we’ve worked for all year.”
In Round 2 of the state playoffs the Mustangs face a familiar foe in the Jasper Bulldogs. Thompson analyzed that the Bulldogs use multiple formations in their offense with usually the same very athletic personnel that matches up very closely to West Orange-Stark.
Jasper will go into the Triple-I Formation or shift out of that into the Spread. To run the football the Bulldogs will use certain sets and likewise will setup differently when wanting to throw the ball.
The Bulldogs’ skill people can really cause great concern for Thompson and his coaches. The quarterback junior Zikeice Simmons is a good operator and a good runner. Their go to receiver is Jermario Thomas. The top two runners are Tylee Adams and Cameron Cuney.
The only loss for Jasper in district was to state ranked Carthage before defeating Connally in bi-district 23-20. “They’re 6 and 4 right now, but I really think that they’re better that that,” Thompson said.
Defense has been the “bell cow” for Jasper this season. Coach Thompson sees a lot of similarity between the 50 Defense of the Bulldogs and that same defense used by the Mustangs. Looking at film Thompson quipped other than the color of the jerseys the Bulldogs are doing things just exactly like the Mustangs do which is no greater compliment than to have Jasper copying what West Orange-Stark is doing.
Two inside linebackers are the leaders on the Bulldog defense. Kaleb Sells is the latest in a long line of Sells who have played at Jasper. TyAnthony Smith with Sells anchor the middle of the defense, both are very active.
In the defensive line sophomore Tylan Garrett is very good. Thompson said he has not seen anybody block Garrett yet and he is very active too. Another impressive Bulldog on defense is sophomore Jakharyn Parks at the right cornerback.
Defensively Jasper will pressure opposing offenses. The Bulldogs will come after the ball carrier using their great athletes to cause trouble. Thompson reiterated, “They’ve got athleticism all over the field, I thought last week was the most athletic team that we had played, but this week this bunch is more athletic than the LaMarque Cougars.”
West Orange-Stark and Jasper were scheduled to play in Week 3 earlier this season, but COVID protocol for the Bulldogs forced the game to be cancelled. Thompson reminded the Mustangs have a history of post season games with Jasper this being the seventh time the two schools were at least scheduled to play during the regular season before meeting later in the playoffs.
How this game will turn out is unknown to Thompson, but the Mustangs must execute their offense, their defense, and their kicking game. “I believe we will accept the challenge, we’ve fared pretty well the Mustangs have in those previous games over the years, so hopefully, we can do it one more time,” Thompson concluded.
The West Orange-Stark Mustangs will play the Jasper Bulldogs in Beaumont’s Memorial Stadium. The kickoff will be at 7:30 PM on Friday.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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