The Orange Leader

PORTER — For the second straight year, the West Orange-Stark Mustangs handled the Bellville Brahmas easily in the playoffs as they cruised to a 49-7 Class 4A Division I Region III semifinal victory at Texan Drive Stadium Friday night behind five touchdown passes by senior quarterback Jack Dallas.
The Mustangs throttled the Brahmas 42-3 last season.
The Mustangs will take on the Giddings Buffaloes (11-2) in the 4A Division II Region III final at 7:30 p.m. Friday back at Texan Drive Stadium.
Giddings defeated Liberty 26-14 Friday.
Dallas burned the Brahmas (10-3), especially in the first half when he completed 10-of-14 passes for 192 yards and four TDs. He finished 12-of-18 for 263 yards and five scores.
The five TD passes gave Dallas 102 in his superb three-year run as the starting QB.
“I wasn’t worried about the other 97 going into tonight, all I was worried about was getting the win and celebrating with my teammates,” said Dallas. “It was a special night. Everything was clicking on offense. The line gave us excellent protection. Our running game helped open up our passing game. It’s just a great feeling to be moving on and playing in December again.”
Receiver K.J. Miller hauled in three passes for 110 yards and two scores in the first half as WOS outgained the Brahmas 250-107 in the first 24 minutes.
The Mustangs finished with 426 total yards as they also got 163 yards on the ground. Tailback Kavyn Cooper had 79 yards and two TDs on just four carries.
“We were really clicking on all cylinders offensively tonight,” said Mustang coach Cornel Thompson, who will lead the Mustangs to their sixth straight Region III championship game next week. “Our offensive line protected Jack well and he made some excellent scrambles to get into position to throw some excellent balls. Our running game starting clicking late. It was a solid performance for sure after a tough week of practice and dealing with the holidays.”
The Mustangs limited the Brahmas to just 171 total yards.
Bellville tailback Mac Briscoe, who had 2,131 yards on the season, finishes the year with 2,218 as the Mustangs held him in check as he finished with 87 yards on 24 totes.

STAFFORD 37, BRIDGE CITY 28

CHANNELVIEW — The Bridge City Cardinals fell just short to the Stafford Spartans in the Class 4A Division I Region III semifinals 37-28 at Maddry Stadium Friday night.
It was a tremendous game as the District 10-4A Division I champion Cardinals (9-3) pushed the Spartans (10-3) to the very end with a nice rally before falling by nine points. The game was much closer than the final score as the Spartans brought back an interception return for a score on a desperation pass on the game’s final play.

Stafford managed 338 total yards while the Cardinals finished with 333.
Patrick Morris led the Cardinal ground game with 85 yards on 19 carries. Cayce Draper had 52 yards on 12 carries as he and Morris each rushed for over 1,000 yards for the season.

Cameron Montgomery had 109 yards on six carries for the Spartans while Walter White had 82 yards on 15 carries. James Brown had 54 yards on eight carries. White finished 8 of 15 for 101 yards passing.

Stafford will move on to face Carthage, a 33-31 winner over Henderson, in the Class 4A Division I Region III final next week.