KATY – Explosive offense and a smothering defense gave the West Orange-Stark Mustangs the fuel it needed in a 30-21 win over the Wimberley Texans in Friday’s Class 4A, Division II state semifinal.
Wimberley quickly sped out to a 7-0 lead when quarterback JoJo Weeks connected with wide receiver Cade Stoever for an 84-yard touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage.
Enter WO-S quarterback Chaka Watson, who scored the first of two gamebreaking, highlight reel touchdowns in the first half. A 28-yard touchdown run from Watson tied the game at 7-7.
Weeks countered with a 69-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Wyatt Mann late in the first quarter to take a 14-7 advantage.
WO-S took control of the game by scoring 20 unanswered points over a nine-minute period in the second frame.
A short touchdown run by running back Kayven Cooper was followed by a sensational 99-yard touchdown run by Watson to give WO-S a 20-14 lead. Watson rushed for 241 yards and two touchdowns in the contest.
The WO-S lead grew to 27-14 via a winding 77-yard punt return from Jarron Morris.
Wimberley regained its footing with a 39-yard touchdown pass from Weeks to wide receiver Gavin Martinez to pull within six points at 27-21 at halftime. It was the last time the Texans scored points, however, as WO-S’ formidable defense shut out the Texans over the final 24 minutes.
Weeks went 11 of 33 for 274 yards and three touchdowns, which were all scored in the first half.
