By Caleb Adams
The Orange Leader

NACOGDOCHES — In perhaps the biggest game in the state of Texas on Friday night, the West Orange-Stark Mustangs got all they could handle from the Kennedale Wildcats before prevailing 23-20 in overtime at Nacogdoches High School’s Dragon Stadium.

The Mustangs (4-0) ran the state’s longest win streak to 31 games when senior quarterback Chaka Watson went 23 yards on a keeper in overtime to seal it.

Watson scored all three WOS touchdowns and finished with 116 yards on 18 carries.

The Wildcats outgained the Mustangs 336-159 on the night but the Mustang defense came up with four turnovers.

WOS, back-to-back Class 4A Division II state champions, defeated Kennedale (4-1) 45-21 last year en route to a state title while Kennedale advanced to the 4A Division I semifinals.

“We are not going to play a team as tough as them all season,” said Mustang coach Cornel Thompson about Kennedale.

The Mustangs failed to make anything of their first drive of the game, but their defense had something to add as they forced and recovered a fumble at the Kennedale 20.

Watson, with quick cuts, scored from 18 yards out to put the Mustangs up 7-0 in the first quarter.
Kennedale found some running room against the Mustang defense as Evan Jowers would score on a 31-yard touchdown gallop to put the Wildcats up 9-7 with 1:29 remaining in the first half.

The Mustangs took advantage of a Wildcat turnover, taking over at the Kennedale 8 in the third quarter but the Wildcat defense held firm and WOS had to settle for a 25-yard field goal by kicker Chad Dallas.

The Wildcats answered right back though when back Jaden Knowles broke it wide open, going 81 yards.
Watson broke a long 40-yard run that set up his four-yard touchdown run. Dallas booted the extra-point and the game was tied 17-17 with about 10 minutes remaining.

The Mustangs drove down as far as the Wildcat 25 with 1:19 left in regulation but the Wildcat defense held firm and blocked a Dallas 44-yard field goal attempt.

The Mustang defense held firm when the Wildcats had the ball for the first overtime series and Kennedale settled for a 33-yard field goal by Kevin Tiero.