WOS Sports Districts Top Offense, Defense
What was anticipated to be a close game last week, West Orange-Stark won convincingly. The Mustangs beat Silsbee, 45-20, to remain undefeated in district action.
Coach Cornel Thompson complimented the Mustangs’ performance in the victory over the Tigers, but added it was like two different teams were playing again for West Orange-Stark. He was proud of their effort to earn the victory, however, early in the game the Mustangs kept shooting themselves in the foot with penalties causing the offense to play behind the chains.
The coaches including Thompson will be trying to rectify those errors. Thompson added, “Can’t take anything away from Silsbee, they’re very good, so we’re fortunate to get that kind of victory last week.”
Another important district game is this Friday night as the Mustangs play at Orangefield. Thompson is very familiar with the Bobcats’ Slot-T Offense which they use to run the ball and chew up time on the game clock.
The Bobcats have a big fullback Hunter Ashworth who runs the ball inside for them. Ashworth was good last year, and Thompson said he is that much better this year bulling his way for yardage.
Another Bobcat running back is Cameron Dischler, and he is Orangefield’s outside threat. Dischler has some speed and has had several breakaway runs so far this season.
Leading the way for Ashworth and Dischler is the offensive line. Thompson is impressed with the strong side of the Bobcats’ line which includes Lane Ponfick at guard, Hunter Norwood at tackle, and tight end Koen Maddox calling them as good as the Mustangs will face this year. “We’re going to have our hands full Friday night,” Thompson warned.
Going hand-in-hand with their offense is a tough defense at Orangefield that Coach Thompson is preparing the Mustangs to attack. The Bobcats use a 50 Defense like West Orange-Stark, and like the Mustangs the Bobcats just line up and play well making the correct reads.
Noseguard Kayden Kibodeaux impresses Thompson by anchoring the middle of the Bobcat defense. Ashworth flanks Kibodeaux at one of the tackles splitting time with Morgan Sampson who is also a pretty good technician on defense for Orangefield.
The Bobcat that really stands out to Thompson is inside linebacker Brayden Babineaux. Last year Babineaux was an outside linebacker before being moved to the inside position this season. Babineaux can run and he’s around the ball every snap according to Thompson.
Orangefield is doing a good job with their new defense which was changed to the 50 after using the 4-3 for several previous seasons. Thompson expressed, “Those are the people I’m very much concerned about.”
Neither the Mustangs nor the Bobcats have lost a district game thus far. That will change on Friday night, and Thompson supplied the keys for West Orange-Stark to remain undefeated in district are to block and tackle better than Orangefield.
Just like every week, Coach Thompson analyzed that the team that wins at least two of the three phases offense, defense, and kicking will win the contest. Thompson is concerned about the Orangefield offense which can be the Bobcats’ best defense by controlling the football for most of a full quarter at a time and the Bobcats’ defense which will scrap you good the whole game.
This contest could truly come down to the kicking game. The Mustangs have the leading scoring kicker in the district with Cristian Quiteno Polio, and the Bobcats got a game winning field goal against Silsbee from their freshman kicker Ty Butler. “This game may very well boil down to an extra point or a field goal either missed or made, so that’ll be bottom line this week,” Thompson concluded.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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