Published: December 25, 2008 05:12 pm      

WO-S' Hypolite paces All-Leader Team

Somewhat of a rerun.

That’s what the 2008 Orange-area high school football season turned out to be.

In 2005, Hurricane Rita cut the football season short. Ditto, for Ike last September.

Most teams across Southeast Texas lost at least two games due to the storm. Ditto for Rita in 2005.

However, it didn’t slow down the efforts of our kids this season.

At West Orange-Stark, it was a typical banner season for the Mustangs (10-1).

They extended their district winning streak to 29 games, going a perfect 5-0 in 21-3A play. The only folks WO-S didn’t devour during the regular season were Kirbyville and Jasper, non-district games scheduled during the storm.

For the third straight season, the Mustangs advanced to the third round of the playoffs before falling to Gilmer. Another nice run, considering all the adversity that Orange faced in September and many are still facing it today.

The Mustangs relied on hard-nosed defense again.

WO-S allowed just 147.4 yards a game, just 58.5 on the ground. The Mustangs outscored their opponents 463-91 and allowed just seven points in the third period all season.

WO-S wasn’t shabby on the offensive side of the ball as well, pumping out 373 yards a game.

This leads us to the 2008 All-Orange Leader Football Team and its Most Valuable Player in Mustang quarterback Ortavious Hypolite.

Hypolite had a superb senior season, completing 94-of-165 passes for 1,469 yards and 15 touchdowns and had just four interceptions. His bullish running style in the spread offense led to 810 yards on the ground and 12 touchdowns on 134 carries.

However, it was Hypolite’s leadership on and off the field that pulled the most weight.

In his two years as the starter, Hypolite completed 199-of-345 passes for 2,850 yards and 26 TDs and rushed for 1,491 yards and 26 TDs.

Our Defensive MVP goes out to Mustang defensive end Kevin Robinson.

Robinson became the first Mustang defensive end to lead the squad in tackles in the program’s storied defensive history.

The senior notched 104 tackles, 16 of them for losses. He also caused four fumbles and recovered two and recorded seven sacks and 10 pressures. Those numbers led him to the First Team All-State Class 3A Sports Editors Team.

The Offensive Player of the Year goes to Deweyville Pirate senior tailback Zane Kachtik.

Kachtik was saddled with kneee and foot injuries during his junior campaign that kept him out the entire season.

Instead of letting himself get down, Kachtik rehabbed his way back to All-District 23-2A status for first-year Pirate coach Russell McDaniel.

Kachtik went on to rush for 1,304 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Pirates in a highly-competitive 23-2A.

Perhaps no team had a more challenging campaign than the Bridge City Cardinals.

Coach Cris Stump did a wonderful job in preparing the Cardinals for not just football but life as well after Ike ravaged the home team.

Coach Stump pieced together a hard-working team, despite the turmoil and a fey key injuries, turning 2007’s 0-10 campaign to a very respectable 4-4 in 2008.

One of the youngsters Stump counted on was Newcomer of the Year in freshman running back Matt Menard.

After tailback Joe Robertson suffered a season-ending injury, Menard stepped in and played just like he did when he was an eight-grader. He mowed through most of the big boys he faced.

After being called up to varsity, Menard rushed for 537 yards and four touchdowns on 85 totes.

To no surprise, WO-S head coach Dan Hooks has been tabbed Coach of the Years.

Hooks pushed his career mark to 261-65 and led the Mustangs to the playoffs for the 19th time in 28 years and captured his 16th district crown.