Mustangs facing a 'Royal' test

[Bobcatfan4life]

Mustangs facing a 'Royal' test

Van Wade

The Orange Leader

WEST ORANGE — After having a week off to catch their breathe, the West Orange-Stark Mustangs will be staring down some tough customers on the road this week as they wrap up their non-district slate at Brookshire-Royal.

Sure, the Falcons may be 1-3, but they’re record is deceptive.

The Falcons downed Hempstead 21-20 in their opener and have fell to Bryan Rudder (21-19), and long-time playoff programs in Sealy (64-37) and Bellville (28-21 in overtime).

“We hope we don't go to their place and end up in a Hornets’ nest,†said long-time WO-S coach Dan Hooks. “They’ve played some pretty good folks and believe it or not, this will be their first home game. They’ll be waiting on us.â€

Royal quarterback Eric Mathews has had a superb season thus for. He’s completed 65-of-97 passes for 769 yards and four touchdowns and he has rushed for 336 yards and three TDs on 58 carries.

Tailback Brandon Williams has darted for 417 yards and five TDs on 68 totes and is an excellent receiver out of the backfield with 22 catches for 278 yards and a TD.

Receiver Shane Alexander has 25 receptions for 307 yards and two TDs.

“They have such an explosive attack,†said Hooks. “They probably have four guys on offense and four on defense that can go play college ball just about any place. They got after Bellville’s tail last week and almost pulled that one out. Their quarterback is a great athlete and that Williams kid can go at tailback. They’re a better team then the one we beat (33-7) at home last year.â€

Coach Hooks and the 10th-ranked Mustangs (3-1) certainly enjoyed their bye week after falling to Jasper 23-13 in their last tilt.

“Jasper taught us a whole bunch that night,†said Hooks. “Nothing went right that night. That goes for the offense, defense and special teams. The kids weren’t happy with that performance and have really been working hard in practice. We’ve had some pretty serious practices in all phases of the game and the kids have really gotten serious. They’re ready to play some football.â€

Mustang junior quarterback Reggie Garrett has completed 34-of-76 passes for 582 yards and seven TDs. Sophomore tailback Britton Lindsey leads the ground arsenal with 387 yards and four TDs on 76 carries while junior receiver Mark Roberts leads the way with 10 catches for 253 yards and two TDs for an offense that is getting 293.8 yards a game.

The Royal offense, averaging 381 yards a contest, will face a stern Mustang defense that is allowing just 213.3 yards an outing.

“Defensively, they’ll try to stretch out our defense with their spread, which is good because we’ve seen some of that early on against Nederland and LC-M,†said Hooks. “Hopefully we can cause a few turnovers and get out of there with a win.â€

It will be the Mustangs’ final tuneup before they head to Silsbee Oct. 9 to open up District 21-3A play. WO-S currently owns a 29-game district winning streak.

“We’ve got two tough games ahead of us on the road,†said Hooks. “It all really counts for real against Silsbee and we want to play much more sound football against Royal then we did in our last two games. It seems like our district might be much more interesting, especially with the emergence of Bridge City and Orangefield. Silsbee will definitely be trying to set up a trap for us when we motor into their place Oct. 9. This time of the year, you just want to improve each week and we’re definitely looking for that this Friday.â€

Directions to Royal High School:Take I-10 West to Houston; Follow I-10 to San Antonio; Take the FM-359 exit, Exit 732, toward Brookshire; Turn right on Waller Ave/FM- 359; Left onto US-90/FM 359; Turn Right onto Baines St/FM 359; Take slight right onto FM 362; Left on Royal Road – should see stadium.

[OrangeFBfan]

Royal Falcons Stadium

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[KFDM COOP]

Impressive stats from their QB and RB.

[skipper]

i agree coop. no push overs this year dont look like. the mustangs will be in a dog fight the rest of the way this season dont you think

[OrangeFBfan]

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BACK TO WORK! Coach "T" will have his D ready to go to work Friday night!

[Fish4Fun]

I agree that the Mustangs will have a good test this week. After speaking with Mr. Majestik, I also believe it will be a close one with WOS winning 35-14.

[Long Tall Texan]

Taking trips west on I-10 i always hated stopping in that area. Good luck!