The West Orange-Stark Mustangs ran roughshod over the Wharton Tigers on Thursday night to claim a 51-21 bi-district round victory in New Caney.
The Tigers could not get out of their own way in the first quarter as three consecutive special teams mishaps on punts gave the Mustangs excellent field position or points.
The Mustangs blocked the first Wharton punt deep in the Tigers territory but were unable to get points on the board. The second Tigers punt had a bad snap, which the punter could not get a handle on and fumbled the ball. Alexander Thomas of the Mustangs scooped the ball up and returned it 15-yards for the touchdown and a quick 7-0 for West Orange-Stark.
The next Wharton punt featured the snap soaring over the punter’s head and rolling out of the end zone for a safety to give the Mustangs a 9-0 advantage.
Wharton kicked off to WO-S and the Mustangs needed just seven plays to extend its lead to 16-0 courtesy of a 3-yard touchdown run by Dylan Myers with 5:50 left in the first quarter.
The Mustangs made the score 23-0 on the first play of the second quarter as running back Khelvy Jefferson scored on a 21-yard run capping off a two play drive that covered 37 yards following a 16-yard punt by Wharton, its first successful kick of the night.
The Tigers finally showed some signs of life on its next possession as Wharton marched the ball 70-yards in six plays in just over 90 seconds. Quarterback Ja-Keon Jackson kept the drive alive with a 25-yard run to convert a fourth down and he connected on an 18-yard pass to running back Brandon Sims Jr for the touchdown to cut the WO-S lead to 23-7.
The Mustangs responded with its own 70-yard scoring drive, which consumed 2:30 off the clock in just six plays. The big play of the drive was a 52-yard run by Jefferson to the Tigers 9-yard line and a penalty moved the ball to the 4-yard line. Two plays later quarterback Kwalin Dugas ran it to the left for a 1-yard touchdown to put WO-S ahead 30-7.
Myers scored his second touchdown of the night for West Orange-Stark, this time on a 1-yard run to give the Mustangs a 37-7 lead.
Wharton used a big play to strike quickly as Sims broke tackles and outran the Mustangs defense to the end zone for a 64-yard touchdown to make the score 37-14 at the half.
Sims caught a 47-yard touchdown pass from Jackson in the third quarter, but the Tigers could not get any closer.
Myers scored two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter, a 2-yard run and a 1-yard run, to give WO-S the 51-21 win.
The Mustangs offense dominated time of possession and had 341 total yards of offense, which included 315 rushing yards on 53 carries. Jefferson led all rushers with 21 totes for 184 yards and one touchdown, while Myers had 12 carries for 75 yards and four touchdowns.
The WO-S defense limited Wharton (6-5) to 229 yards of offense as Jackson completed 11 of 20 passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns, while Sims had 76 yards rushing and 58 yards receiving and three total touchdowns.
West Orange-Stark (8-3) will play the winner of Madisonville and Robinson in the Area round next week.
-Tommy Mann, KOGT-
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