By Ronnie Hughes
The Orange Leader
WEST ORANGE — The “Chain Gang Defense” of West Orange-Stark was simply too much to overcome for the Orangefield Bobcats Friday night.
The Mustangs managed 369 yards and held the Bobcats to 177 as WO-S picked up a 37-3 District 9-4A Division II victory at Hooks Stadium.
“The kids made the right adjustments to come out and fight a very well coached team,” Mustang head coach Cornel Thompson said, “You always worry about outside distractions on homecoming night, but these kids remained professional.”
Mustang quarterback Jack Dallas completed 15-of-27 passes for 210 yards and three touchdowns.
The Bobcats (4-4, 1-1) received the opening kickoff and marched the ball down to the Mustangs 18 yard line with Matthew Rainey chipping in a 29-yard field-goal. The Bobcats chewed up just over seven minutes off the clock to grab a 7-0 lead. The Mustangs (7-1, 2-0) finished a nice drive in the second quarter that was capped off by a Justin Brown two-yard touchdown run. Dallas ran in the two-point conversion as the Mustangs held the lead the rest of the way. The Bobcats had played mistake free football throughout most of the half until Blake Bradley fumbled at their own 37 giving the Mustangs excellent field position with 6:27 remaining in the first half.
It was the Bobcats’ defense that stepped up and forced the Stangs’ to a three-and-out. Tristan McGee broke up a would-be 40 yard touchdown pass by Jackson Dallas to save the Bobcats. After a stalled Orangefield drive WO-S went to work with five minutes left in the half. The usual high-powered Mustang offense came alive and aired out the ball working over the Bobcat secondary. Dallas completed four of eight passes with a long of 22.
Blayze Holley led the Bobcat ground game with 58 yards on eight carries. Matthew Watkins had 42 yards on 10 carries.