Mustangs face Silsbee in 21-3A showdown

[KFDM COOP]

Mustangs face Silsbee in 21-3A showdown

Van Wade

The Orange Leader

WEST ORANGE — Going into their District 21-3A opener Friday night against the Silsbee Tigers, the West Orange-Stark Mustangs have a lot to protect.

Not only do the Mustangs want to uphold their No. 3 Class 3A state ranking, they have the business of keeping their district winning streak motoring along.

Since dropping down to 3A in 2004, the Mustangs (3-0) have yet to drop a district encounter. They’ve dropped 24 straight district opponents in fairly easy fashion.

However, the team that perhaps have given the Mustangs their sternest tests in loop play the last two seasons comes rolling into Dan Hooks Stadium in the form of the Tigers (1-3).

“Just look at the history the two schools have had over all these years, you’re talking about some knockdown dragouts, we’ve had them against each other,†said Mustang head coach Dan Hooks. “They’ve (Silsbee) battled their tails off against us the past two years. We barely got pass them at their place a couple years back. Last year they gave us our toughest district game. We’re just up 14-6 late and of all things we get a field goal late to beat them 17-6.â€

The Tigers have been in every game they’ve played this season, falling short three times and beating Beaumont Kelly on a late field goal.

“Silsbee’s 1-3 record is very deceptive,†said Hooks. “They’ve moved the ball well but a lot of bad stuff has happened to them, including turnovers and penalties at inopportune times. Believe me, we know we’re in for a battle, you can count on it.â€

The Mustangs were able to shake off some rust last week when they downed Brookshire-Royal 33-7 to close out non-district.

“It’s a game the kids definitely needed,†said Hooks. “We weren’t sharp early, especially on offense, but we were able to pick things up later in that game.â€

Silsbee’s offense goes as quarterback Jeremy Johnson goes.

The swift little QB has completed 38-of-77 passes for 545 yards and five touchdowns. He also leads the squad in rushing with 313 yards and a TD on 67 carries.

“Johnson really makes their offense tick and our defense will be honing in on him,†said Hooks. “Silsbee has plenty of weapons though. He’s a guy you know you have to stop though.â€

Tiger receiver Chris Roundtree has 11 catches for 175 yards and a TD and is complimented by fellow receivers Chris Castle (7-133-1) and Shannon Robinson (8-113-2). Tailback Chris Barnes (25-103-0) is also seeking a breakout game.

Without question, WO-S owns the stingiest defense in Southeast Texas, allowing just 121.3 yards a game, including just 54 against Brookshire-Royal last week.

Defensive end Kevin Robinson leads the way with 32 stops followed by Josh Lynch (28) and Robert Jiles (25).

“We’re so sound and well-coached on defense,†Hooks said. “Cornel (Thompson) has those guys so prepared each and every week. We may not have the biggest defense in the country but those kids are so well-disciplined and they have that knack of being around the football. They so quick and aggressive.â€

Offensively, the Mustangs are churning out 377.7 yards per contest.

Senior quarterback Ortavious Hypolite has been the steady influence. He’s completed 26-of-41 passes for 408 yards and four TDs and has rushed for 175 yards and four scores.

His favorite targets have been Trey Franks (11-212-2) and Josh Gloston (8-130-1). Tailback Quintavius Garrett continues to lead on the ground with his 463 yards and seven TDs.

Hooks realizes whoever is victorious Friday night will have a leg up in the 21-3A race.

“It’s a real pivotal game for us, no doubt,†Hooks said. “We’re going to have to have our best game of the year, it’s that time of year when you want to reach a certain level and that time is now.â€

[bearddy]

i think silsbee will get there act together and give w.o.s. all it can handle and win by 7.

[Guest wos grad]

Yea and the Texans will win the Super Bowl.

[AggiesAreWe]

Yea and the Texans will win the Super Bowl.

Okay, I don't agree with the poster stating Silsbee will win, but that's not a fair comparison of the Texans winning the Super Bowl. Houston doesn't have a shot at winning the Super Bowl this year while I believe Silsbee has a chance to beat WOS each and every year.

[Majestyk]

I agree, Silsbee has too many athletes year in and year out to be taken lightly.  If the stangs don't come ready they will be in for a possible upset.  I believe this has already been covered by the coaches,  this will probably be the stangs toughest test in district, it just happens to be the first one.

[24 over par]

no upset here

wos 34

silsbe 14

[skipper]

This Will Be A Good One To Watch.WO-S DEF has played  so-so but must step it up come this friday.silsbee is a better than 1-3  record AND the coaching staff there at wo-s sees this agan i see it this way NO TURN OVERS and the mustangs WIN

[purpleeagle]

  Is it true that the state is changing the signs coming into Orange that now read "DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS"  to "DON'T MESS WITH WO-S".

  The question is not "will Silsbee win?" but "will Silsbee even score".

  Not downgrading Silsbee but no other team in this are is in the same class this year with WO-S.

  We have two teams that will go a long ways in the post season, WO-S in 3A and Kirbyville in 2A.

 

[td]

  Is it true that the state is changing the signs coming into Orange that now read "DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS"  to "DON'T MESS WITH WO-S".

  The question is not "will Silsbee win?" but "will Silsbee even score".

  Not downgrading Silsbee but no other team in this are is in the same class this year with WO-S.

  We have two teams that will go a long ways in the post season, WO-S in 3A and Kirbyville in 2A.

 

That must be hard to say coming from a Newton Eagle!

[ilikecupcakes]

wo-s is wo-s.

anybody has the CHANCE to lose.

but they will not. possibility yes, reality says no tho

[skipper]

this is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo funny cant belive this post came up at this time.was at the school yesterday  and as i was going home  saw a sign that read  HELLO SILSBEE ,you just got kick in the tail by a mustang and this was in the front yard of a home ,i almost  fell out of the seat

[HORNSFAN86]

IMO, the Stangs are in a league of their own right now. They should win this one rather easily

[jmspears3]

IMO, the Stangs are in a league of their own right now. They should win this one rather easily

They may beat Silsbee, but it will not be as easy as you think..

[skipper]

never been easy to beat silsbee alway a good game fun to watch