The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Putting on a show for a packed house, the Mustangs beat the LaGrange Leopards, 42-7, to advance to the Semi-final round of the playoffs. WO-S shut down LaGrange’s JK Dobbins and company, holding the Leopards to only one score and less than 250 offensive yards. The win puts the Mustangs in a show down this Friday night with the 11-3 Sinton Pirates at Guy K. Traylor Stadium in Rosenberg at 7 pm with the winner playing for the state title.

“We finally got over the fourth round hump. We played inspired football most of the game,” Head Coach Cornel Thompson said. “I’m proud of the kids. They keep looking forward. I’ve told them that they can’t be satisfied because this is the gateway to state.”

The Mustangs took the field in front of a huge crowd that cheered the entire night and never looked back.

“We would really like to thank our fans who have been great the last few weeks,” Thompson said. “The kids and the coaches notice the fans and the cheering and we really appreciate that the town and people are rallying behind us at this time.”

The fans had a lot to cheer about. On the third play from scrimmage, quarterback Jack Dallas handed off to Trey Baldwin, who jumped over a couple of Leopards before hitting the open field and taking the ball 55 yards for six. Hector Vela’s PAT was good and the Mustangs led, 7-0, with less than three minutes ticked off of the clock.

The Chain Gang defense forced LaGrange to punt on three and out and just two plays later, Dallas found Trey Spencer streaking down the sidelines for a 50 yard touchdown. After Vela’s PAT, the Mustangs were up 14-0.

LaGrange didn’t give up and moved the ball down to the 14 before Will Johnson stepped in front of a Dobbins pass to kill the drive. Two plays later, the Mustangs fumbled the ball back to the Leopards, but the Chain Gang defense held and LaGrange was forced to punt. On the Leopard’s next possession, linebacker Justin Brown snagged a pass from quarterback Aaron Janda.

On the very next play, Dallas hit a wide open Deionte’ Thompson for a 55 yard score. The Chain Gang again forded the Leopards to punt after three and out and the Mustangs struck one last time before the half when Trey Baldwin carried the ball in from five yards out for the score. The Mustangs led at the half, 28-0.

“The offensive did a great job,” Thompson said. “Jack had a great game. He threw well and we ran pretty well. Our kicker made all of his extra points.”

During the first half, LaGrange’s touted Dobbins, who entered the game with 2,176 yards and 37 touchdowns, went down with an injury.

“I hate that the Dobbins kid got hurt,” Thompson said. “That kind of limited both of our game plans.”

The Mustangs finished the game with two more touchdowns, and gave up one to LaGrange. Dallas hit Thompson from 21 yards out, as Thompson juked and jived through the Leopard defenders before hitting the end zone, late in the third. LaGrange tried to answer back, but Janda was picked off in the end zone by Spencer.

The defense hit pay dirt in the middle of the fourth when Baldwin picked up a loose ball and returned it untouched 40 yards for the score.

“There are just four teams left in the state in our division,” Thompson said. “For the most part we are healthy. It’s a mental game now. We have to ask ourselves, ‘Can I get myself ready to play?’”

Up next are the Sinton Pirates, a team that the Mustangs have never played and didn’t really know a lot about.

“They’ve got a quarterback that’s been starting since the ninth grade,” Thompson said. “He’s got a good live arm and is the top rated passer in their district. He’s put up a lot of yards in the last two seasons, passing and rushing.”

Led by quarterback Tyler Handson, the Pirates run out of the spread formation. According to Thompson, they like to spread the field and have a bevy of wide outs in junior Mark Villareal and senior Ryan Murphy. Their main formations are Trips and No Backs and also use Cobra formation. They like to open up the run for the quarterback.

“Right now, they are playing good football,” Thompson said. “They played Yoakum early in the season and got beat in overtime, but avenged them this past Friday night, winning 35-21 to advance to the fifth round. We can’t underestimate them.”

The Pirates remind Thompson of last years’ Huffman team.

“They do a great job of throwing the ball,” Thompson said. “We’ve got to defend the pass and force them to run. We can’t let Handson stay in his spot.”

The Mustangs will prepare all week for 48 minutes of football on Friday night. Please come and join the crowd and cheer on the team in the fifth round.

“I can’t say enough about our fans right now,” Thompson said. “We very much appreciate the people following the Mustang parade.”

Tickets will be on sale in the WOS Athletic office Thursday, December 11, 9-12 and 1-3pm and Friday, December 12 9-12pm only. Ticket prices are $8 for Adults and $5 for students. All tickets at the gate are $10.

To get to Guy K. Traylor Stadium, Rosenberg Tx (4606 Mustang Ave. ) take Interstate 10 West towards Houston. Merge onto I-69S/US 59S/Southwest Freeway via exit 770A. Take FM 762 towards Richmond. Turn right onto FM 762 Rd / FM-762. Continue to follow FM-762. Turn left onto FM 1640 Rd./FM2218. Continue to follow FM 1640 which becomes Avenue I/FM1640. Turn right onto Horace Mann Avenue (Horace Mann Ave is .3 miles past E. Stadium Dr. If you reach Radio Lane you've gone too far). Turn right onto Mustang Ave. and the stadium is on the right.

Please come out and support the Mustangs in the GATEWAY to STATE.