Something has to give in the semifinal game of the 4A Division two bracket between West Orange-Stark and Navarro at 7 PM, Friday Dec. 9 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. The two teams are undefeated with 14 wins each and they have been the two best teams in the bracket by dominating every opponent they have faced.
West Orange-Stark’s last three playoff games have come against teams with three losses and they won with ease. After shutting out Tarkington (3-7) 73-0 in their first game, the Mustangs blew out Robinson (9-3) 47-14, Bellville (10-3) 49-7 and Giddings (11-3) 48-5. They outscored the winners of District 11 and District 10 97-12. The Mustangs beat the Buffaloes to win the region, and although they did fall behind early in the first quarter by committing a safety and allowing a field goal they made up for it by scoring 48 straight points.
The Mustangs have a solid quarterback in senior Jackson Dallas and playmakers’ Keion Hancock and K.J. Miller who plays wide receiver and also punts and kicks. The strength of their team is their offensive line, which is led by the trio of senior tackle Teron Brown, senior center Ryan Ragsdale and senior guard Ahmaud Baldwin who weighs 317 pounds.
West Orange-Stark lived up to their 12th ranking in the state of Texas and the 109th ranking nationally by winning District 12. They had impressive wins outside of their district with four quality wins over Little Cypress-Mauriceville, Bridge City, Silsbee and Kennedale. Kennedale is currently alive in the semifinals of the 4A Division one bracket and the Mustangs blew them out 45-21. The Mustangs’ three best district wins were against Orangefield, Liberty and Hardin-Jefferson. They have scored 738 points and allowed 56 and they have eight shutout wins.
Navarro’s games have been more competitive (relatively speaking), particularly their two most recent playoff games. Navarro defeated Cuero in their regional final 35-21, but the game was closer than it seemed and it’s no small feat to beat a team that was 13-0 by 14 points. They did well to hold the Gobblers to 21 points despite allowing 201 rushing yards. The scored was tied at 21 after three quarters and then the Panthers scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, one which was a 95-yard interception return.
Navarro is at their best win they are running the football, which they have done exceedingly well in the playoffs. They rushed for 548 yards in their 55-34 win over Wharton, 396 yards in a 42-0 shutout over Sweeny and 326 yards in a 70-14 blow out of Poteet. They have averaged 6.8 yards per carry in four playoff games. They can use up to nine different rushers in a game as they did against Poteet, but their main backs are seniors Jake Wright and Jared Leal. Wright has 1,140 rushing yards in 12 games on the season, while Leal has 1,062 rushing yards in 14 games.
Navarro won District 13 and they are loaded with three quality wins against Wimberley, Refugio and Giddings. The Panthers beat Refugio 14-6. The Bobcats have been tearing it up in the 2A Division one bracket and they are in the semifinals.
These two teams have proven to be the best of the best in any bracket, but West Orange-Stark may have a slight edge just because they have yet to show any signs of vulnerability.
The winner earns the right to go to the championship game on Dec. 16 to play the winner of Sweetwater and Gilmer.
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WOS has the edge, because they are good.