NEW CANEY – The Mustangs are moving on to the area round of the high school playoffs for the first time since 2021.

The No. 8 state-ranked West Orange-Stark Mustangs defeated the Sweeny Bulldogs, 41-14, in a Class 4A Division 2 matchup on Thursday night at Randall Reed Stadium in New Caney behind a high-powered offense and relentless defense.

Sweeny jumped out on the Mustangs early as running back Seth Jammer reeled off a sizzling 73-yard jaunt down the sideline for the score, on the second play of the game, and a 7-0 Bulldogs lead with 11:03 to still play in the first quarter.

The Bulldogs continued the momentum as its defense forced the Mustangs into a three-and-out and a punt. However, Sweeny would be forced to punt the ball back to WO-S and that is when the momentum would change.

Starting at its own 28-yard line, WO-S needed just four plays to reach the end zone as quarterback Marcus Turner Jr. scooted around the right side of the line and then outran the Bulldogs defense to the end zone for the 42-yard score to tie the game, 7-7 with 7:18 to play in the opening quarter.

Sweeny looked about to retake the lead when the Mustangs defense stepped up as defensive back Raymond Mallett Jr. intercepted Bulldogs quarterback Lane Cole in the end zone. Mallett opted to return the ball instead of taking a touchback and was tackled at the 3-yard line.

Normally, being deep in your own territory is not an ideal situation, but, on this night, Turner was on top of his game. He faked the handoff, looked for a hole in the defense, left a few defenders laying on the turf after showcasing some spin moves and zipped down the right sideline for a 97-yard touchdown run to give WO-S a 14-7 lead just one play later.

In the second quarter, the Mustangs defense forced Sweeny into a turnover-on-downs on its next possession and started the drive from its own 49-yard line. A few plays later running back Khelvy Jefferson scored on a 2-yard run up the middle to make the score, 21-7, for WO-S.

The third quarter was a continuation of the Mustangs momentum as WO-S marched the ball downfield 65-yards in just five plays in 3:20. On second and nine from the 23-yard line, Turner caught receiver Ja’Mikael Davis a step behind the Bulldogs defense on a post route and connected with him for the 23-yard touchdown. WO-S lead 28-7.

Sweeny had its best drive of the game on its next possession as the Bulldogs moved the ball 53-yards in eight plays, while consuming over five minutes off the clock. Running back Cayden Jones, who finished the night with 162 rushing yards for Sweeny, scored on a 1-yard run to cut the WO-S lead in half at 28-14.

Turner would add an 11-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter and Jefferson would score on a 42-yard run early in the fourth to give WO-S the 41-14 victory.

WO-S had 449 total yards of offense against Sweeny with 387 yards coming on the ground and another 62-yards in passing.

Turner rushed for 176 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries against the Bulldogs, while he passed for 62 yards and a touchdown.

Jefferson carried the ball seven times for 55 yards, but he added two touchdowns to help power the Mustangs ground game. Dylan Myers rushed for 79 yards on four totes, while Michael Turner III added 72 yards on five carries.

Davis caught three passes for 46 yards and a touchdown as well.

The WO-S defense allowed the Bulldogs offense to generate 276 total yards on the night, with all 276 yards on the ground. The Sweeny quarterback did not complete a pass on the night in three attempts, but he was intercepted once and sacked twice.

The Mustangs (9-2) will play the winner of No. 10 state-ranked Waco La Vega and La Grange next week. The time, date and location are still to be determined.

West Orange-Stark defeated Waco La Vega in a non-district contest earlier this season, 35-27, in Madisonville.