setxsports
10-22-2008, 04:01 PM
Suffocating Mustang 'D' awaits Cardinals
Van Wade
The Orange Leader
WEST ORANGE — Could the 18th time be the charm?
The third-ranked West Orange-Stark Mustangs hope not as they get ready to host the Bridge City Cardinals in District 21-3A action at Dan Hooks Stadium Friday night.
The Mustangs (5-0, 2-0) have yet to drop a game in the Orange County series with the Cardinals (2-3, 0-2) coming to town.
WO-S will try to extend its Class 3A district winning streak to 27 games.
“Throw away the history and the records, Bridge City is going to want to come over here and get after us,” said Hooks. “Coach (Cris) Stump has done a great job with the Cardinals this year, considering everything those kids have went through with the storm (Hurricane Ike) and all. Their coaching staff has done a great job preparing their kids. So many have lost so much and it’s a credit to the kids and coaches for putting that thing together. I wish them all well, except for Friday night, of course.”
The Mustangs are coming off a 66-0 beatdown of the Hamshire-Fannett Longhorns. The Cardinals played the Silsbee Tigers tough last week before falling 21-0.
Hooks has been impressed with what is still a very young group of Cardinals.
“The future looks good there and Coach Stump is playing a ton of young kids,” said Hooks. “The biggest improvement I’ve seen out of them this year is their defense. They’re wrapping up well and flying to the football much better than last year.”
When you talk about flying to the leather, no program in Southeast Texas has done in year-in and year-out like the Mustangs have for over 30 years.
The Mustangs might not have their largest defense, but they have kids that are ball-hawkers.
The Mustangs are allowing a mere 134.2 yards an outing, led by long-time defensive coordinator Cornel Thompson along with Ed Dyer and Mike Pierce.
WO-S has allowed just 34 points the entire season and just six points in the second half.
Kevin Robinson leads the way with 54 tackles, seven for losses including four sacks. Josh Lynch has 42 stops and Robert Jiles has 34. Terry Rubin has found his way to four sacks while defensive back Josh Gloston has two interceptions.
“Cornel Thompson, what more can you say about him,” said Hooks. “Every year, he does an amazing job. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing Waco La Vega or Hamshire-Fannett, Cornel is going to have that same style and intensity. He brings it everyday in practice and the kids better have it too or they learn things the hard way. We have such a small defense, but they will get after it. This might be the best job Cornel has done here and that is saying a whole lot. Cornel, Eddie (Dyer), and Mike (Pierce), they do wonders on that side of the ball.”
Smooth senior quarterback Ortavious Hypolite powers the WO-S offense, which has pumped out 340.6 yards per outing. Hypolite has 346 yards and six touchdowns rushing and has passed for 581 yards and six scores.
Quintavious Garrett leads the ground game with 512 yards and nine TDs on 71 carries while Trey Franks is the leading receiver with 17 catches for 285 yards and three TDs.
The Cardinals will check in averaging 296.2 yards a game while allowing 328.4.
Quarterback Josh Lemoine has passed for 771 yards and six TDs. Freshman Matt Menard will lead the ground attack with his 209 yards and a TD on 32 carries after junior starter Joe Robertson (43-281-4) was lost for the season due to an injury. Lemoine has solid receivers to go to in Jerry Landry (10-275-2), Cory Moseley (10-211-3) and Luke Rhodes (10-86-0).
“The Cardinals like to mix things up,” said Hooks. “They have so much young talent that they’re tying to mold together. The more experienced those kids get, the tougher they’ll be down the road. The future looks bright in Bridge City.”
For the Mustangs, the old cliches are working well this time of the season.
“For us, it’s all about that next game,” said Hooks. “The kids are looking two weeks ahead or four weeks ahead, they’re looking at Bridge City. We’re 2-0 in district right now and all the kids should be worrying about is getting to 3-0 after Friday night.”
Van Wade
The Orange Leader
WEST ORANGE — Could the 18th time be the charm?
The third-ranked West Orange-Stark Mustangs hope not as they get ready to host the Bridge City Cardinals in District 21-3A action at Dan Hooks Stadium Friday night.
The Mustangs (5-0, 2-0) have yet to drop a game in the Orange County series with the Cardinals (2-3, 0-2) coming to town.
WO-S will try to extend its Class 3A district winning streak to 27 games.
“Throw away the history and the records, Bridge City is going to want to come over here and get after us,” said Hooks. “Coach (Cris) Stump has done a great job with the Cardinals this year, considering everything those kids have went through with the storm (Hurricane Ike) and all. Their coaching staff has done a great job preparing their kids. So many have lost so much and it’s a credit to the kids and coaches for putting that thing together. I wish them all well, except for Friday night, of course.”
The Mustangs are coming off a 66-0 beatdown of the Hamshire-Fannett Longhorns. The Cardinals played the Silsbee Tigers tough last week before falling 21-0.
Hooks has been impressed with what is still a very young group of Cardinals.
“The future looks good there and Coach Stump is playing a ton of young kids,” said Hooks. “The biggest improvement I’ve seen out of them this year is their defense. They’re wrapping up well and flying to the football much better than last year.”
When you talk about flying to the leather, no program in Southeast Texas has done in year-in and year-out like the Mustangs have for over 30 years.
The Mustangs might not have their largest defense, but they have kids that are ball-hawkers.
The Mustangs are allowing a mere 134.2 yards an outing, led by long-time defensive coordinator Cornel Thompson along with Ed Dyer and Mike Pierce.
WO-S has allowed just 34 points the entire season and just six points in the second half.
Kevin Robinson leads the way with 54 tackles, seven for losses including four sacks. Josh Lynch has 42 stops and Robert Jiles has 34. Terry Rubin has found his way to four sacks while defensive back Josh Gloston has two interceptions.
“Cornel Thompson, what more can you say about him,” said Hooks. “Every year, he does an amazing job. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing Waco La Vega or Hamshire-Fannett, Cornel is going to have that same style and intensity. He brings it everyday in practice and the kids better have it too or they learn things the hard way. We have such a small defense, but they will get after it. This might be the best job Cornel has done here and that is saying a whole lot. Cornel, Eddie (Dyer), and Mike (Pierce), they do wonders on that side of the ball.”
Smooth senior quarterback Ortavious Hypolite powers the WO-S offense, which has pumped out 340.6 yards per outing. Hypolite has 346 yards and six touchdowns rushing and has passed for 581 yards and six scores.
Quintavious Garrett leads the ground game with 512 yards and nine TDs on 71 carries while Trey Franks is the leading receiver with 17 catches for 285 yards and three TDs.
The Cardinals will check in averaging 296.2 yards a game while allowing 328.4.
Quarterback Josh Lemoine has passed for 771 yards and six TDs. Freshman Matt Menard will lead the ground attack with his 209 yards and a TD on 32 carries after junior starter Joe Robertson (43-281-4) was lost for the season due to an injury. Lemoine has solid receivers to go to in Jerry Landry (10-275-2), Cory Moseley (10-211-3) and Luke Rhodes (10-86-0).
“The Cardinals like to mix things up,” said Hooks. “They have so much young talent that they’re tying to mold together. The more experienced those kids get, the tougher they’ll be down the road. The future looks bright in Bridge City.”
For the Mustangs, the old cliches are working well this time of the season.
“For us, it’s all about that next game,” said Hooks. “The kids are looking two weeks ahead or four weeks ahead, they’re looking at Bridge City. We’re 2-0 in district right now and all the kids should be worrying about is getting to 3-0 after Friday night.”