KFDM COOP Posted November 4, 2008 Report Posted November 4, 2008 Mustangs not looking past Bobcats Van Wade The Orange Leader WEST ORANGE — With the District 21-3A championship already in their hands, you would think the West Orange-Stark Mustangs will look to relax this week with the last-place Orangefield Bobcats venturing to Dan Hooks Stadium Friday night to wrap up regular season play. As long-time ESPN college football analyst Lee Corso says, “Not so fast my friends.†“We want to continue the momentum that we’ve built up,†said long-time Mustang head coach Dan Hooks. “We probably had our best practice of the year on Monday. This is the time of the year where you don’t want to have no letdowns. You want to be sharp at everything you do. After this week, you don’t play sharp, you’ll find yourself one and done.†Coach Hooks, of course, is referring to the postseason, a place the Mustangs will be in for the 19th time in Hooks’ glorious run on campus. The third-ranked Mustangs (7-0, 4-0) will take on the Coldspring Trojans in the Class 3A Region III Division II bidistrict round of the playoffs on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. at Deer Park High School. WO-S dropped the Trojans 51-14 in the same round last season. First things first though, are the Bobcats (1-6, 0-4). “Orangefield will come in here ready to go Friday night,†said Hooks. “They’ll get after us, they always do.†The Bobcats are coming off a tough 14-7 loss to rival Bridge City last week as the Cardinals scored a late touchdown to down the Bobcats. “That was a tough loss for them, but they’ll play hard this week,†said Hooks. “I know they have some seniors that will go at it hard. There’s one thing you never question about Orangefield and Coach (Blake) Morrison and that’s their effort.†After allowing just 31 yards and three first downs in a 40-0 blitzing of Hardin-Jefferson last week, the Mustang defense is allowing just 116.7 yards a game this season. Kevin Robinson leads the way with 72 tackles and seven sacks. Josh Lynch has 61 stops and Robert Jiles has 60. Terry Rubin and Jacorey Roberts have combined for 11 sacks. “Our defensive effort last week was beyond amazing,†Hooks said. “Their back (Jacoby Turner) got loose on a 30-something yard run. You take that way and they’re in the negative.†The Mustangs are still pumping out 342.4 yards a game on the offensive side of the ball. That’s not bad considering Hooks and staff have pulled the starters out late in third quarters in the last three 21-3A games due to overwhelming margins of victories. Through four district games, WO-S owns a 186-14 scoring margin. Quarterback Ortavious Hypolite has passed for 898 yards and nine touchdowns and has rushed for 458 yards and nine scores. Tailback Quintavious Garrett continues to lead the ground game with 595 yards and 10 TDs while Trey Franks is the top receiver with 24 catches for 468 yards and four TDs. The Bobcats will check in averaging 216.9 yards and outing while allowing 305.3. Zach Peevey (92-364-2) and Chase Parker (76-349-4) lead the ground game while quarterback Jace Statum has passed for 409 yards. “The last couple years, Orangefield has been able to sustain some good drives with their running game against us,†said Hooks. “Last year they took the ball on their first drive and went 80 yards on us to score. We can’t let that kind of thing happen.†It’s a big game for the Mustangs, who look to extend their 3A district winning streak to 29 games. “The kids want to go out and finish the regular season strong,†Hooks said. “We know they’ll play hard. We sure can’t afford any injuries though. We just want to go out and execute well and get even more prepared for the playoffs.â€
Homer Posted November 4, 2008 Report Posted November 4, 2008 Is the 6pm saturday at Deer Park for sure?
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