Another high school football season is under wraps as Christmas is definitely knocking on the doors.

In the Orange Leader area, it was quite a season for many players, especially those seniors that wrapped up a great time representing their respective schools.

All for schools we cover found their way to the playoffs.

Once again, the West Orange-Stark Mustangs zipped to yet another district crown. It marked the 10^th straight season that the Mustangs nabbed a district title.

Coach Cornel Thompson’s Mustangs also continues a very amazing streak as they reached the Class 4A Region III Division II Regional Finals for the ninth straight season.

Over at Orangefield, Coach Josh Smalley and Co. were eager to get the season started with a hard-working, lunch-pail group that was full of seniors wanting to go out in style.

Well, the Bobcats accomplished that and more as they went 9-2 and were runnerups out of District 12-3A Division I.

The Little Cypress-Mauriceville Battlin’ Bears zipped to a 6-5 mark under the direction of long-time coach Randy Crouch. The Bears battled their way to the third-place playoff berth out of District 11-4A Division I and accomplished something no Bear team had done since 1997 and that is to win a playoff game. The Bears hammered Stafford 48-21 in the bidistrict round.

The Bridge City Cardinals, led by Coach Allen DeShazo played hard down the stretch with a young squad and punched their way into the postseason as the fourth-place squad out of 11-4A.

I just want to thank everyone that was involved to make our season happen, including the skills of Caleb Adams and Ronnie Hughes in writing stories and the masterful photo work of Mark Pachuca and Tommy Mann, Jr. Also, much appreciation goes out to Dennis Sedtal, Aaron Burke, Chad Landry and Charley Elkins for provided stats on plenty of occasions.

So without further ado, the 2019 All-Orange Leader Team has been selected and there were plenty of standouts throughout the season.

LC-M senior quarterback Ethan McCollum is our Most Valuable Player. McCollum was so key in LC-M’s run to the playoffs as he powered the Bears at times both with his legs and arm.

McCollum shredded opposing defenses for 1,187 yards and 22 touchdowns on the ground on 202 carries. He completed 149-of-269 passes for 1,625 yards and six TDs.

WO-S junior linebacker Tyrone Brown is our Defensive MVP for the second straight season.

Brown notched 149 tackles, 88 of them solo, for 10-4A’s top-ranked defense. He had five sacks, seven more quarterback pressures, two deflected passes and four more tackles for losses.

WO-S sophomore tailback Elijah Gales electrified Mustang fans with his fierce running style and picks up our Offensive MVP honors.

Gales cut through opposing defenses for 1,389 yards and 24 TDs on just 169 carries as he averaged 8.2 yards a carry.

Perhaps no one exemplified the hard-working Bobcats more than senior Clayson Choate, who easily nabs our Utility Player of the Year. Choate very seldom left the field. Choate was a tremendous defensive back and the best return man in 12-3A and even found time to tote the ball on offense at times as well.

Choate notched 80 tackles. He picked off five passes, two of them that he returned for TDs and he had a forced fumble. He averaged a whooping 39 yards per kickoff return, bringing three of them back to “the house” and he also averaged 22 yards a punt return and brought one back for a score for our Coach of the Year in Smalley.

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Here is the 2019 All-Orange Leader Football Team:

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Ethan McCollum, LC-M

OFFENSIVE MVP: Elijah Gales, WO-S

DEFENSIVE MVP: Tyrone Brown, WO-S

UTILITY PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Clayson Choate, Orangefield

COACH OF THE YEAR: Josh Smalley, Orangefield

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FIRST TEAM

OFFENSE

Quarterback: Jerren Terrell, WO-S

Running backs: Chase Broussard, Orangefield; Rylan Ply, Bridge City

Fullback: Andy Lara, Bridge City

Tight end: Mason Sampson, Orangefield

Wide receivers: Brendon Pollock, LC-M; Jayson Zeigler, Jr., WO-S

Offensive line: Quincy Ledet, WO-S; Kyler Metts, Orangefield; Kevin Ross, Bridge City; Connor Tait, Orangefield; Demetrius Hunter; WO-S

Kicker: Angel Ibarra, WO-S

Kick returner: Ethan Oceguera, Bridge City

 

FIRST TEAM

DEFENSE

Defensive line: Shemar Manaway, WO-S; Hunter Ashworth, Orangefield; Colby Gonzales, Orangefield; Eric Garcia, LC-M

Linebackers: Matthew Lopez, LC-M; Ja’marcus Ross, WO-S; Brandyn LeBouef, LC-M

Defensive backs: Carson Peet, LC-M; Ken’teon Champine, LC-M; Jake Potter, Bridge City; Artavious Samuel, WO-S

Punter: Paulino Santos, WO-S

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SECOND TEAM

OFFENSE

Quarterback: Gunner Jones, Orangefield

Running backs: Heston Puckett, Orangefield; Andy Mcdow, LC-M

Wide receivers: Jackson Tims, Bridge City; Jerrold Brown, Jr., WO-S; Artavious Samuel, WO-S

Offensive line: Gunner Johnson, LC-M; Trent Roccaforte, Bridge City; Coby Coulter, Orangefield; Darby Jones, WO-S; Chris Greer, LC-M

Kicker: Oscar Carranza, Bridge City

Kick returner: D.J. Spears, LC-M

 

SECOND TEAM

DEFENSE

Defensive line: Brady Bellow, Orangefield; Floyd Mouton, WO-S; Kayson Dubois, Orangefield; Anthony Bandiero, LC-M

Linebackers: Kent Michael, Orangefield; Dontrey McClain, WO-S; Jalen Thompson, WO-S

Defensive backs: Dorian Pruitt, Bridge City; Cade Brown, Orangefield; Kaiden DuBose, Orangefield; Andre Thomas, Jr., WO-S