Mustangs-Buffs: Round 3

[KFDM COOP]

Mustangs-Buffs: Round 3

Van Wade

The Orange Leader

PEARLAND — Two of the state’s finest will duke it out tonight in what will be a “rubber match†game in the Class 3A Region III Division II area round when the seventh-ranked West Orange-Stark Mustangs (10-1) lock up with the top-ranked Giddings Buffaloes (11-0) at 7:30 p.m. at Pearland High School’s Oiler Stadium.

It was the Mustangs that cranked out a 42-21 victory over the Buffaloes to advance to the state semifinals in 2005. Coach Derek Fitzhenry’s Buffaloes returned the favor last year by defeating the Mustangs 20-13 in the area round.

“That Giddings team is tough as nails, especially their quarterback (Brock Fitzhenry),†said long-time Mustang head coach Dan Hooks. “They’re scrappy. I think they’re even better on the defensive side of the ball, compared to last year.â€

The Mustangs are coming off a 51-14 victory over the Coldspring Trojans in bidistrict playoff action while Giddings escaped Sealy 21-12.

“I’m glad we don’t have to open up against each other to start the playoffs,†Hooks said. “Both of us got established a little bit by getting those first playoff wins. You always have new kids that are getting that first taste of the playoffs and that first game always helps get rid of some jitters.â€

One player that has shown little jitters over the last four seasons is Buffaloes’ senior quarterback Fitzhenry. All Fitzhenry has accounted for the last four seasons is over 7,200 yards on the ground. In this season alone, he has darted for 1,793 yards and 25 touchdowns. In last year’s win over the Mustangs, Fitzhenry rushed for 109 yards and three TDs on 22 carries as Giddings had 301 total yards, 280 coming via the ground.

“They (Giddings) run that option perfectly and Fitzhenry is the one that instigates it all,†said Hooks. “They’ve got a good-size offensive line and they disguise things well on what they want to do. It’s more than just an option offense because they do so many things out of it, including all of that misdirection stuff.â€

Fitzhenry suffered a mishap in the win against Sealy. He rushed for 131 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game late in the second quarter due to strained ligaments in his ankle. He will, however, most likely play come Friday night.

“That kid is so tough, he’d go out there and try to play on crutches if he had too,†said Hooks. “He’s such a tough little competitor. We expect him to be out there and you have to prepare for that.â€

The Buffaloes also have a tough fullback in Shane Jenke, who has zipped for 788 yards and five touchdowns on just 114 carries.

All-State and defending Class 3A Defensive Player of the Year linebacker Alan Dock is also capable of running the ball well along with Quinn Taylor and C.J. Brooks.

A stern Mustang defense, which is allowing just 188 yards a game, will do its best to slow down the potent attack.

“Their whole football team is solid from top to bottom,†Hooks said. “They even have a kicker/punter (Sammy Artega) that is one of the best in state.â€

The Mustang offense has churned out 373.5 yards per game this season as the Giddings offense will have a stern test in front of it as well.

Junior quarterback Ortavious Hypolite, fresh off a huge performance against Coldspring in which he rushed for three TDs and passed for two more, has passed for 1,212 yards and 11 TDs and has rushed for 621 yards and 13 TDs.

Senior tailback DePauldrick Garrett is over the 1,000-yard for the second straight year with his 1,153 yards and 19 TDs on 159 carries. Junior Quintavious Garrett has rumbled for 709 yards and six TDs on 80 totes. Senior receiver Ronnie Dennis has been Hypolite’s favorite target with his 45 receptions for 618 yards and five TDs.

“We’re going to have to have excellent play on offense and you can’t turn the ball over against that bunch,†Hooks said. “You can’t allow a team with that much talent a short field. I’m sure Coach Fitzhenry is preaching the same thing to his team.â€

Of course, both teams have stout defenses are they wouldn’t be where they’re at. Both squads have held six opponents to seven points or less.

Dock proved his might against the Mustangs in last year’s game. He also posted 167 tackles last year and is close to those numbers as well this year.

“That Dock kid flys around all over the place,†Hooks said. “Dock and Fitzhenry, it seems like those two kids have been there forever and that’s because they’re so darn good. Their whole defense is good. That No. 91 (Spencer Duncan) they have the defensive line causes a lot of train wrecks. He was all over the place against Sealy the other night.â€

Hooks has enjoyed watching a young Mustang prosper throughout the year and has a lot of confidence going into the matchup.

“Our kids have been so strong-willed this year and have played so well together overall as a team,†Hooks said. “Nobody wants to be a ‘superstar’, they just want to help the team suceed as a whole and you love to have those type of kids in your program. Two darn good football teams will be going at it, that’s for sure. It looks like an even game across the board. Whoever turns the ball over or makes silly penalties will probably be the team that finds itself in trouble. I hope that isn’t us because our kids have done a great job holding on to the ball and we haven’t got many penalties this year, probably the least we’ve had in years.â€

[kicker]

I also like how chan. 6 spent most of the sports segment on WOS tonight. 8)

Well, they had a tad of Tony and the Cowboys.