KFDM COOP Posted October 6, 2009 Report Posted October 6, 2009 Mustangs ready to face some 'angry' Tigers Van Wade The Orange Leader WEST ORANGE — There’s no doubt, Oct. 9 has been marked on the calendar for quite some time for both the West Orange-Stark Mustangs and the Silsbee Tigers. Many prognosticators, way back in early August, thought this game would be for the outright District 21-3A title. Many fans from Bridge City, Orangefield, Hardin-Jefferson and Hamshire-Fannett may disagree and only time will tell with the start of the 21-3A race cranking up Friday. The Mustangs (4-1) winners of five straight district titles and a 29-game district winning streak, will venture to Silsbee to face some angry and hungry Tigers (1-4). The Tigers have dropped four straight contests, including two tight ones in the last two outings including 21-20 to Class 2A ranked Newton and 24-20 to a solid Jasper team last week. Silsbee led Jasper 20-17 late before Jasper scored the game-winning touchdown with 11 seconds remaining. “Silsbee is a very dangerous and hungry team right now,†said long-time Mustang coach Dan Hooks. “Jasper got them on nearly the last play of the game and that was a tough deal. Silsbee has played a very tough schedule.†Last year, the Mustangs held off the Tigers 14-7 in overtime at WO-S. “We’re going to have to go over there and play our best game yet,†said Hooks. “Silsbee thought they let one slip away at our place last year. We’ve got the 29-game winning streak going on and believe me, the No. 29 is posted both in our fieldhouse and theirs. Right now, everyone is 0-0 again. If Silsbee beats us, they’ll erase that 1-4 start in a hurry.†After also suffering a loss to Jasper (23-13), the Mustangs found their groove again last week by spanking Brookshire-Royal 49-6. Mustang junior quarterback Reggie Garrett has completed 44-of-93 passes for 664 yards and seven TDs for a Mustang offense that is averaging 283.4 yards and outing. Junior receiver Mark Roberts has 13 receptions for 249 yards and two TDs and senior wideout Trey Franks has 13 catches for 163 yards and a TD. Sophomore tailback Britton Lindsey leads the ground game with 387 yards and four TDs on 76 totes. The Mustang defense is allowing just a mere 202.4 yards a game after limiting Brookshire-Royal to just to just 159 yards and eight first downs last week. “The kids really played well against Royal,†said Hooks. “We looked better in several areas, including the special teams. We also had just four penalties, which was great because they’ve killed us so much in non-district.†The Tigers have, arguably, the top offensive weapon in 21-3A in senior quarterback Jeremy Johnson. Johnson, who has verbally committed to West Virginia, has completed 70-of-125 passes for 1,072 yards and 10 TDs to go along with seven interceptions. “The Johnson kid is one of the best athletes around,†said Hooks. “He’s got a great arm and can also take off and run with it.†Johnson’s top two targets are wideouts Pheal Hill (19-347-4), Prentice Lane (14-259-1) and Kelson McDaniel (9-217-1). Running back Chris Barnes has 16 catches for 172 yards and two TDs out of the backfield. The Tigers’ running game has struggled with Barnes leading the way with 93 yards on 28 carries and a TD as Silsbee averages 279.6 yards a game. Defensively, the Tigers are allowing 290.8 yards a game and held Jasper to 236 last week. “It’s going to be a great matchup,†said Hooks. “It’s a game where both teams are pretty much equal in every phase of the game. They’ll be ready to get after us and we know they feel like they can beat us. We’ve had some great battles in the past and this one is going to be no different.â€
AggiesAreWe Posted October 6, 2009 Report Posted October 6, 2009 Very nice article Van. Kudos to you sir.
Guest bleed orange Posted October 6, 2009 Report Posted October 6, 2009 Very nice article Van. Kudos to you sir. Van, Gabe and the Orange leader staff do an awesome job and have for 50 + years. We are lucky to have them.
AggiesAreWe Posted October 6, 2009 Report Posted October 6, 2009 Very nice article Van. Kudos to you sir. Van, Gabe and the Orange leader staff do an awesome job and have for 50 + years. We are lucky to have them. I have been a friend of Gabe's for a few years now and have really come to respect the job those guys do. The media at times can be a thankless job.
Recommended Posts