KFDM COOP Posted October 14, 2008 Report Posted October 14, 2008 Mustangs look to extend streak at H-F Van Wade The Orange Leader WEST ORANGE — After dodging a bullet against Silsbee in thrilling 14-7 District 21-3A overtime win last week, the third-ranked West Orange-Stark Mustangs will look to extend their 25-game district winning streak in Class 3A when they visit Hamshire-Fannett Friday night to face the Longhorns. The Mustangs (4-0, 1-0) simply made the plays when it counted against Silsbee (1-4, 0-1), coming up with eight sacks against the Tigers and riding the legs of senior quarterback Ortavious Hypolite. The Longhorns (3-2, 1-0) put in a little extra time against Orangefield (1-3, 0-1) last week, erasing a 13-0 deficit to come back to win that one 27-21. “Hamshire gritted one out just like we did,†said long-time Mustang coach Dan Hooks. “They made a lot of key plays late to take down Orangefield. The thing with Hamshire, going as far back as their Claude Tarver days, is that they don’t make many mistakes.†The Longhorns have been beat up all season long injury-wise but it hasn’t crushed their spirit. Quarterback Jake Minaldi has competed 29-of-69 passes for 369 yards and three touchdowns. He’s also rushed for 267 yards and two TDs on 57 totes. Tailback Chris Bell has 400 yards and four TDs on 66 carries while fellow back Justin Simmons has 136 yards and two TDs. Jeremy Pinder is a solid receiver with seven catches for 99 yards and two TDs. “You never expect anything fancy out of the Longhorns,†said Hooks. “They’ve ran that sound running game for a lot of years. They like to grind it out with power football and take time off the clock with long scoring drives. Power football has given us a problem in the past. We’re very quick on defense but we’re not that big. If we can force some early turnovers, we’ll be in pretty good shape.†The Mustangs are allowing just a mere 144.5 yards a game. Offensively, Hypolite continues to power the WO-S arsenal. He’s completed 32-of-57 passes for 467 yards and four TDs and has rushed for 305 yards and four TDs on 53 carries. He muscled his way to 130 yards on 27 strong carries against Silsbee and made a couple key defensive stops in the fourth quarter and overtime. “Hypolite showed how much he means to this team again the other night,†said Hooks. “He’s not going to do anything fancy but he will come right after you. He has such a competitive fire about him. He’s got that will to win and everyone else picks up on that. He’s just a winner all the way around.†The Mustangs are pumping out 343.5 yards a game offensively. Tailback Quintavious Garrett leads the way with 512 yards and nine TDs on 71 carries. Receiver Trey Franks has 13 receptions for 249 yards and two TDs and Josh Gloston has nine catches for 135 yards. “Offensively, we kinda sputtered against Silsbee,†said Hooks. “I thought we ran the ball pretty decent but our passing game definitely needs some work and we’ll be doing a lot of that in practice this week.†There’s no question, all the teams in 21-3A is trying hard to knock the Mustangs off their pedestal. “We’ll get everybody’s best shot, count on it,†said Hooks. “Silsbee has given us fits now for three straight years. Everyone gets fired up for us, it’s like their Super Bowl, so we’re going to have to be ready each time we step out there.â€
Recommended Posts