Stangs, Wildcats battle for 21-3A bragging rights

[Bobcatfan4life]

Stangs, Wildcats battle for 21-3A bragging rights

Van Wade

The Orange Leader

WEST ORANGE — Push could come to shove tonight as West Orange-Stark heads to Kirbyville in what looks to be an awesome early District 21-3A showdown.

The Mustangs (3-1, 1-0) have owned their district since dropping down to the Class 3A ranks in 2004 and own an 18-game winning streak in district play.

The Wildcats (4-0, 1-0) have been on the prowl in recent years under head coach Jack Alvarez and were picked by several, including Texas Football Magazine, to win 21-3A this season.

So, something has got to give and it’s just a matter of who wins the tug-of-war.

“It looks to be a tremendus football game,†said Mustang head coach Dan Hooks. “The atmosphere will be great for two pretty darn good football teams. Whoever wins this one will take a big step and will kinda be a leg up on the competition with a lot of football still to go.â€

Kirbyville opened 21-3A play with a 21-7 victory over rival Jasper last week while the Mustangs thumped Hamshire-Fannett 34-7.

With seven starters back on both sides of the ball off of last year’s 8-4 playoff unit, the Wildcats have put up impressive numbers all season, led by outstanding running back Pierce Rhodes.

Rhodes rushed for 1,526 yards and 23 touchdowns last season and hasn’t missed a beat thus far this year.

Rhodes leads 21-3A in rushing as he’s darted for 551 yards and seven TDs on 65 carries. He also has four catches for 94 yards.

“Rhodes is one of those kids that is just electrifying,†Hooks said. “He’s not a real big kid but he’s so darn elusive and he has that uncanny speed where once he gets in the secondary, he’s gone. Our defense will have to keep him in front of them, that’s for sure.â€

The Wildcats certainly have a superb leader in quarterback Aaron Hazlewood. The three-year starter has completed 20-of-42 passes for 339 yards and four TDs this season. He has a big-play receiver in Randy Musgrove as well. Musgrove has 12 catches for 265 yards and three TDs. The Wildcats also have two more solid backs in Fred Rhodes and Barry Burley, who have combined for 232 yards and three TDs.

“Hazlewood is the kid that makes their whole operation go,†Hooks said. “Very seldom does he make a mistake. He has an accuate arm and he has always shown that he’s an excellent leader.â€

Hooks appreciates what Coach Alvarez has accomplished at Kirbyville.

“Jack deserves a lot of credit for turning their football program around,†Hooks said. “He’s really been able to mesh everything together. They’ve won several playoff games the last couple years and they’re battle-tested.â€

The Mustang defense, without question, has held it’s own through four games this season, three coming against Class 4A opponents. WO-S is limiting foes to just 195.8 yards a game.

Offensively, the Mustangs used a dominant running game to thwart H-F last week as senior tailback DePauldrick Garrett busted loose for 150 yards on 15 carries. Garrett has 288 yards and a TD on 53 carries so far.

Mustang quarterback Ortavious Hypolite has completed 39-of-78 passes for 435 yards and four TDs and has also rushed for 239 yards and three TDs on 53 carries. Hypolite’s favorite target has been senior receiver Ronnie Dennis, who has caught 21 passes for 230 yards and two TDs.

“Offensively, I thought we had a really good game against Hamshire,†Hooks said. “We missed a couple deep balls and had a couple drops in the first half that kept Hamshire in it. In the second half, we got our running game going and really got the momentum the rest of the way.â€

Without a doubt, the Mustangs know they’re in for a supreme test against the Wildcats.

“Games like this, it’s what football is all about and it isn’t hard getting the kids up for a game like this,†Hooks said. “It’ll be a packed house at their place and should be a great football game. The key is that we’re so evenly-matched, that whoever gets penalized the most and coughs the football up, that’s the team that will get itself in trouble and hopefully that won’t be us.â€

[grizzly62]

Thats relly good!!!  ;D Im ready for tommorw its going to be war till the end . Good luck to both teams!!! ;D ;D