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It took the whole first quarter for the Mustangs to get their engine going, but once they hit the gas, they never looked back, beating the Orangefield Bobcats, 42-14, to stay perfect in district play.

“We were able to get adjusted in the second quarter and we left with a victory,” Head Coach Cornel Thompson said. “I was proud of the second half. I said that they would score 14 and that’s what they did.”

The Mustangs were slow to start allowing Orangefield to score first but quickly answered back when quarterback Jack Dallas hit a wide open Will Johnson on a 32 yard pass after Deionte’ Thompson’s pass was called back for holding.

Orangefield didn’t give up easily as they quickly answered back with another score of their own. But with only seconds left in the first quarter, the Mustangs hit pay dirt again when Grant LaPoint-Teate broke through the Bobcats, scampering 45 yards to tie the game.

“Jack played really well, Teate ran well and we blocked pretty good,” Thompson said. “Our core linemen that played both ways, 48 minutes held up pretty good. Kalen (Garrett) did well on the offensive side and has really stepped up and (Josh) Orebo played good on the defensive side.”

The Chain Gang kept Orangefield from ever hitting the endzone again, while continuing to score themselves. Thompson scored on a 20 yard pass from Dallas and then LaPoint-Teate crossed the goal line again from just one yard out. Trey Baldwin, who kicked the first two extra points, scored on a two point conversion when holder Peyton Robertson took the snap and tossed it to Baldwin, who crossed the line for two. The Mustangs went into the field house up, 28-14.

After the half, Thompson turned on his charm late in the third when he took a punt and ran it back, untouched, 84 yards to put the Mustangs up, 35-14, after Hector Vela’s PAT was good.

“We were able to put some of the younger guys in the second half and everyone got to play,” Thompson said.

The Mustangs finished their scoring when Dallas pitched out to Malick Phillips, who hit a wide open Jeron Preston for a 54 yard touchdown pass. Vela’s kick was good and the Mustangs finished it, 42-14.

Friday night, the Mustangs will face the Hamshire-Fannett Longhorns, (4-3, 0-1) lost to Hardin Jefferson last week in a high scoring shoot out, 54-39.

“The King kid (Kendrick King) is the hub of the wheel,” Thompson said. “We have to know where he is at all times. He’s their quarterback but can play as the win or wide out. It rises and falls with him.”

The Longhorns beat Lumberton, Anahuac and Smithville early in the season.

“This is our Pink Out game and is also the final time our seniors will play on this field,” Thompson said. “It’s their final effort and we are hoping it is their best. We don’t have to win but we need to in order to set up the right to play for the district championship.”

Mustang seniors will be recognized before the game Friday night and it will also be the Pink Out game. Tickets will be on sale Thursday, 9-12 and 1-3 and Friday, 9-12. Adult tickets are $5 and students $2. All tickets at the gate are $5.

The combined ninth grade/JV team beat Orangefield, 36-0.

BB Tezeno scored on a 59 yard touchdown reception from quarterback KJ Miller and Miller scored the two point conversion.

Dameon Morris scored on a one yard reception from quarterback Caleb Ramsey.

Miller scored on a one yard run.

Jeremiah Shaw scored on a 17 yard pass from Miller and also scored the two point conversion.

Jarron Gilbert scored on a 3 yard run and Demorris Thibodeaux converted the two points.

Malikki Hodge shad a 37 yard interception that fell just 5 yards short of a touchdown and Paul Ivory recovered a fumble.

Offensive standouts were Miller, Tezeno, Gilbert, Thibodeaux, Shaw and Ladarian Carter.

Defensive standouts were Hodge, Tabeka Hughey, Ahmaud Baldwin, Jerrick Spencer, Devien Teate and Ronald Carter.

Both teams are 8-0 and will face the Hamshire-Fannett Longhorns in Fannett Thursday.