Bobcats all set for trek to WO-S

[KFDM COOP]

Bobcats all set for trek to WO-S

Gabe Pruett

The Orange Leader

ORANGEFIELD — If the West Orange-Stark Mustangs offense is slacking these days, Orangefield Coach Blake Morrison sure would like to find the missing pieces.

Morrison has watched enough film on the Mustangs this week and knows exactly what the Bobcats are up against when Orangefield travels to Dan R. Hooks Stadium for a 7:30 p.m. game against the No. 3 Mustangs.

The Mustangs hold a 4-0 record in the series which started in 2004 when WO-S fell to the 3A ranks. WO-S has outscored Orangefield 180-32 in the four games.

“People who say they are not good on offense, I beg to differ,†Morrison said. “People who say that, goodness gracious.â€

The Mustangs have outscored their District 21-3A opponents 186-14. Silsbee and Bridge City are the only two teams to score against WO-S (7-0, 4-0) in the district race.

So needless to say the Orangefield (1-6, 0-4) defense will have to be on their toes tonight.

The Bobcats are giving up 305.3 yards and 22.8 points a game this year.

WO-S is led by senior quarterback Ortavious Hypolite who has rushed for 458 yards and nine touchdowns and thrown for 898 yards and another nine scores.

Quintavious Garrett has gained 595 yards on the ground with 10 touchdowns and Trey Franks is the leading receiver with 468 yards and four scores.

One thing is for certain in Morrison’s mind, he will not have to worry about the effort his Bobcats will put out at Dan R. Hooks Stadium.

“Our kids have been upbeat all week long,†Morrison said. “There are not many times you get a chance to go up against one of the top teams in the state. Our kids have played hard all season long. It has been a tough year as far as with breaks, injuries and calls. None of those things have really went our way.

“This team has played 100-percent on every play. They keep playing and trying to accomplish our goals. You never have to worry about our effort on Friday nights.â€

The Bobcats sure gave their all a week ago even in a 14-7 loss to rival Bridge City. The Cardinals scored a late touchdown to win the game, which was tied 0-0 at the half.

Orangefield received a powerful running attack from junior Chase Parker who carried the ball 27 times for 117 yards with a touchdown. Parker now has 349 yards on 76 carries with four touchdowns.

Senior Zach Peevey is still leading the team with 364 yards on the ground with two scores while junior quarterback Jace Statum has 170 yards rushing.

Statum has also thrown for 409 yards with a total of two touchdowns.

The Bobcats offense is averaging 216.9 yards and 13.7 points a game.

“We are just looking to finish what we started,†Morrison said. “I want this team to leave the field with no regrets. If they do that, I’ll stand right beside them and pat them on the back. That is all you can ask from anybody. We have to be on our A game because the team we are playing will find you if you are not. I have always told our team if you want to match up with this district, this is the team you have to match up against.â€