Sweetwater head coach Shane Mobley is a firm believer in defense winning championships, but it would be the opposing defense in West Orange-Stark that would win the 4A Division II State Title as they defeated Sweetwater 24-6.
It was a battle of defensive wills in the first half as offensive scoring was at a premium. The opening drive for West Orange-Stark seemed to be primed for a touchdown to open the game but the defense of Sweetwater would be the prevailing element. Luke James would recover a fumble near the goal line and take it to the house for a 96-yard fumble return touchdown to put Sweetwater up 6-0 against one of the most elite defenses in the state. Sweetwater would continue to hang and seemed as though it could possibly leave AT&T Stadium with a win as the score at intermission read 7-6 in West Orange-Stark’s favor.
“They are a great football team there is no doubt about it and I think today that we wanted to make sure we went out and earned the word respect,” Mobley said. “It’s what we talked about before the kickoff and I’m just so proud of these guys. Not one time did we lay down.”
West Orange-Stark opened the second half with their defense making a big play early as defensive back Jarron Morris read Chris Thompson’s pass attempt perfectly and intercepted the throw as West-Orange Stark took over with a first and goal and a 7-6 lead.
Looking to continue the defensive battle that had stifled both offenses in the first half, Sweetwater made the goal line stand that forced West Orange-Stark to settle for the 30-yard field goal and only hold a 10-6 advantage.
Sweetwater defensive back Kobe Clark made a spectacular one-handed interception in the end zone as the fourth quarter began which swung momentum back to the Mustangs and gave them a chance to regain the lead late in the ball game. Unfortunately, Sweetwater would give the ball right back to West Orange-Stark on a fumble that led to Jack Dallas touchdown and put West Orange-Stark up 17-6 and in firm control of the game from that point on. The West Orange-Stark defense would add a pick-six from Justin Brown to cap off the scoring at 24-6.
“I couldn’t ask more from this group of men,” Mobley said of his team, “They played with heart and that’s what we were looking for cause their going to carry this experience through life forever and I’m just grateful for them.”
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