Last Friday the West Orange-Stark Mustangs rolled to a big 68-0 win over the Hamshire-Fannett Longhorns in the opening game of district. Coach Cornel Thompson indicates unfortunately the Mustangs lost a key player on defense in that game. Linebacker Justin Brown (#6), who Thompson calls the quarterback of the WO-S defense, broke two bones in his right arm and will be out four to six weeks. The coach adds a few other players are limping around with sore ankles, but they should be ready to go Friday. Cory Skinner is expected to move into Brown’s spot and Davian Teate will replace Skinner. Keyshawn Holman could also see time there.
This Friday is the second game of district and the opponent for West Orange-Stark is Hardin-Jefferson. Thompson analyzes the Hawks on offense. They run the old school Slot-T Offense which will be about the fifth time the Mustangs have faced it this year in either scrimmages or regular season games.
Three-year starter Talon Tilley is the leading ball carrier for Hardin-Jefferson from either the halfback or fullback positions. At the slot positions the Hawks have two dangerous runners in Kelechi Nwachuku and Mason Murray who transferred to Hardin-Jefferson from Silsbee. Both have the speed to get outside. Thompson states, “Those are the key guys on their football team that’s going to carry the load.”
The Mustangs are averaging over 52 points a game through their first seven games. Coach Thompson describes the Hardin-Jefferson defense that will attempt to slow them down. The Hawks are a 50 Defense at times, but Thompson believes they base out of a 4-3 with five or six returning starters on defense.
Tilley is the leader on defense as well for the Hawks from his linebacker position according to Thompson. The Hawks pursue the ball well and have performed very good as represented by their 4-1 record including two shutouts so far this season. Their only loss came against Little Cypress-Mauriceville in Week 3. “They’re doing a great job out there,” Coach Thompson confirms.
This will be an early district showdown for West Orange-Stark. Thompson gives his expectations for the ball game. First he expects a win from the Mustangs. Thompson reminds that the last time West Orange-Stark played at Hardin-Jefferson the Mustangs uncharacteristically gave up 21 points in a win. Coach Thompson expects the Mustangs to execute their offense, their defense, and their kicking games for 48-minutes which they have not done in a full game this season, but he wants them to do that Friday.
West Orange-Stark plays Hardin-Jefferson Friday night. The kickoff between the Mustangs and the Hawks will be at 7:30 PM in Sour Lake.
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