The West Orange-Stark Mustangs used a strong second-half to outpace the Newton Eagles to a 32-24 victory on Friday night at Dan R. Hooks Stadium in West Orange.
Trailing 24-6 in the first half, the No. 8 state-ranked Mustangs scored 20 points in the third quarter and the WO-S defense kept the Eagles out of the end zone in the second-half, including a final defensive stand in the red zone with 17 seconds remaining in the game to claim the victory.
The Eagles, ranked No. 5 in Class 3-A D2, got on the board first when Caveland Hunter snagged an ill-timed pitchout from WO-S quarterback Kwalin Dugas, who was under duress, and returned it 50-yards for the Newton touchdown. The Eagles led 8-0 following the two point conversion.
The Mustangs would answer later in the first quarter when running back Raymond Shaw dashed through the Eagles defense on his way to a 25-yard touchdown. The Mustangs trailed 8-6 following the failed extra-point attempt.
The Eagles started the second quarter with the ball at their own 47-yard line when quarterback Deidrick Samuel dropped back and hit receiver Braylen Patterson, who was five yards behind the WO-S defense, for a 53-yard touchdown and a 16-6 Newton lead after the two point run.
Following a Mustangs fumble, the Eagles only needed two plays to find the end zone again as running back KJ Porter zipped up the middle and bounced outside down the left sideline for a 31-yard touchdown and a 24-6 Newton lead.
The Mustangs responded with a 11-play, 72-yard drive on its next possession as Anterrion Fontenot scored on a 3-yard run up the middle to cut the Eagles lead to 24-12 at the break. WO-S running back Khelvy Jefferson had a 12-yard reception on a key fourth down play to keep the drive alive and put the ball inside the 5-yard line.
The second half was a different story as the Mustangs defense turned up the physicality and kept the Eagles out of the zone, while also forcing two fumbles and four turnovers on downs. The WO-S offense, on the other hand, caught fire in the third quarter and scored 20 points to turn the game around.
Jefferson scored on a 36-yard run for the Mustangs to cut the Eagles lead to 24-18. Following a turnover on downs, WO-S only needed one play to get into the end zone as Dylan Myers broke through the left side of the line and roared 70-yards for the touchdown. The Brian Hernandez extra point kick gave WO-S a 25-24 lead, its first of the night.
Another defensive stop gave WO-S the ball at its own 34-yard line with 4:03 left in the third quarter. Six plays later Dugas kept the ball around the right end and outran the Eagles defense to the end zone for a 36-yard touchdown and a 32-24 lead at the end of the third quarter.
The Mustangs were driving to the end zone late in the fourth quarter to put the game away, but the Eagles defense forced Jefferson to fumble the ball and give Newton one last chance. However, facing fourth down and seven yards to go from the Mustangs 15-yard line, Samuel overthrew his receiver in the end zone and WO-S held on for the win.
The Mustangs finished the game with 332 total yards for the night. Myers had 110 yards and a touchdown on six carries, while Jefferson had 75 yards and a touchdown on 13 totes. Dugas finished the night with 37 rushing yards and 45 passing yards as he completed four passes on eight attempts. The WO-S defense limited Newton to 273 total yards on the night.
West Orange-Stark (1-0) travels to Nederland (1-0) next Friday to take on the Bulldogs, who escaped Lumberton with a 6-3 overtime victory in Week 1.
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