Article by Samiyah Church
The West Orange-Stark Mustangs faced the Silsbee Tigers this past Friday in the annual Pinkout game, an exciting matchup filled with big plays, penalties, and momentum shifts. The Mustangs fought hard throughout, overcoming mistakes and responding to the Tigers' offensive pressure. Touchdowns from quarterback Kwalin Dugas, running back Khelvy Jefferson, dive back Braydon Gipson, and field goals from Brian Hernandez helped West Orange-Stark secure a 38–30 victory.
The first quarter began with both teams looking to establish control of the game. Dugas scored a touchdown to get the Mustangs on the board. At 7:55, Hernandez kicked a field goal, giving West Orange-Stark a 10–7 lead over the Tigers. However, at 2:57, the Mustangs faced back-to-back penalties that threatened to slow their momentum. Despite the setbacks, the team continued competing and working to maintain its advantage as the game moved into the second quarter.
That's where the momentum shifted. Dugas fumbled the ball, allowing the Tigers to recover it and score a touchdown. The turnover put Silsbee ahead 14–10, forcing the Mustangs to respond. At 3:59, Hernandez kicked another field goal while Jefferson scored a touchdown, helping the Mustangs regain their lead, 17–14. The Tigers answered with a field goal to tie the game 17–17. Gipson then scored a touchdown for the Mustangs, and Hernandez kicked the PAT. The Mustangs entered halftime up 24–17 after a competitive first half.
The Mustangs looked to protect their lead at the top of the third quarter and kept the Tigers from gaining momentum. After a back-and-forth first half, West Orange-Stark needed to remain focused on both sides of the ball. The defense worked to limit Silsbee's scoring opportunities, while the offense looked for ways to extend the advantage. The Mustangs carried their 24–17 lead into the final quarter, setting up an intense finish.
The fourth quarter brought more excitement as both teams continued fighting until the final minutes. At 5:57, Jefferson scored a touchdown, and Brian made the extra point, extending the Mustangs' lead to 38–24. The Tigers refused to give up and scored a touchdown at 1:26, bringing the score to 38–30. Silsbee attempted a two-point conversion to close the gap, but it was unsuccessful. West Orange-Stark held on to its lead, finishing the game with a 38–30 victory over the Tigers.
One noticeable change throughout the Mustangs' season has been increased fan attendance after the first few games. As the season progressed, more people began showing up to support West Orange-Stark, creating more excitement and energy around the team. The growing support shows how the community continues to come together to cheer on the Mustangs. With fans filling the stands and players giving their best effort on the field, Friday night's victory gave the community another reason to celebrate.
Despite penalties and a costly fumble, the team responded with important touchdowns and field goals to maintain its lead. As fan support continues to grow, West Orange-Stark will look to build on this victory and carry its momentum into Friday's game as they travel to Shepherd to play against the Pirates. Teamwork, determination, and the ability to respond to adversity made the difference in this faceoff and earned the Mustangs another district win.
