The Orange Leader and The News staff reports

FANNETT — It was smooth sailing in the District 12-4A Division II opener for the two-time defending Class 4A Division II state champion West Orange-Stark Mustangs as they buried the Hamshire-Fannett Longhorns 57-7 at Longhorn Stadium Friday night to extend their state-leading winning steak to a whopping 32 games.

The Mustangs (5-0, 1-0 in 12-4A Division II) didn’t take long to score to take a quick lead, scoring on their first drive. Just like last week, Kavyn Cooper had three rushes on the drive including a seven-yard scamper into the end zone.

Cooper finished with 61 yards on 10 carries.

Renaldo Rose would grab his first touchdown of the night with a 43-yard run for the Mustangs.

De’Andre Hawthorne would return a punt from the Longhorns for 60 yards and a touchdown, putting WOS up 35-0 still in the second quarter.

Watson would find success in the air again, finding tight end Kaleb Ramsey for 8 yards and another touchdown for the Mustangs. The PAT was no good, but the Mustangs are still up 41-0 in the second quarter just before the half. Robinson snared a big 22-yard pass from Watson on the drive.

Tyrece White broke away for a long 70-yard run for the only Longhorn touchdown of the night as the Mustangs were up 41-7 with just seconds left in the half.

The Mustangs will look to continue their winning ways when they welcome in the Hardin-Jefferson Hawks for Homecoming next week. The Longhorns (2-3, 0-1) will visit Liberty to face the Panthers.

BRIDGE CITY 34, CLEVELAND 22
CLEVELAND — The Bridge City Cardinals found their groove Friday night, notching their first win of the season and more importantly opening up District 10-4A Division I action with a huge 34-22 road victory over the Cleveland Indians.

The Cardinals (1-3, 1-0 in 10-4A Division I) found their vaunted running game again after tough non-district losses against state powers West Orange-Stark and Newton along with Jasper as their young offensive line helped pave the way.

Cardinal quarterback Caleb DuBois found the end zone twice on runs as did tailback Max Baker. Fullback Alex Lara came back healthy and found the end zone as well against the Indians (2-3, 0-1).

LIBERTY 24, ORANGEFIELD 16
ORANGEFIELD — A leaping interception by a Panthers defender late in the game, and deep in Liberty territory, broke the hearts of the Bobcats faithful and sealed the win for the visiting team.

Liberty (5-1, 1-0) used its high powered ground game to churn out 271 yards on the night, which included 150 yards on 23 carries by running back Jeremiah Guillory. He also scored all three Liberty touchdowns on runs of 9, 11 and 26 yards.

Orangefield (1-3, 0-1) fought for every yard it gained on the evening and accumulated 176 rushing yards, which included 58 yards by Louvier and 49 from sophomore Quy Tsan.

Liberty will host Hamshire-Fannett next Friday, while the Bobcats will have a bye week before traveling to Hamshire-Fannett on Friday, Oct. 27 to face the Longhorns.

VOLLEYBALL
PNG 3, MEMORIAL 0
PORT NECHES — The Rock-A-Noos haven’t lost their flair for the sweep.
Libbie LeJeune added nine digs to her 16 kills, and Port Neches-Groves (24-5, 11-0 in 22-5A) marched to a 25-14, 25-10, 25-14 win over Port Arthur Memorial. It’s the 10th sweep in district play for PNG.

Kayla Stansbury had 11 service points, two blocks and four kills in the win. Baylee Priddy totaled 23 assists, Rachel Hammersmith had 11, and Elizabeth Bolyard blocked 11.

Memorial fell to 14-13 and 3-8 in 22-5A with three matches left. The Titans need two victories to secure a winning season.

NEDERLAND 3, OZEN 1
NEDERLAND — Abbey Montalvo played another all-around game in leading the Bulldogs (18-12, 7-4) to a four-set win over the Panthers.

Peyton Smith finished with 32 digs, Haley Plumley, Mackenzie MacFarlane, Karley McGill and Meg Sheppard each had five kills, MacFarlane added five blocks and Plumley aced three.