From Staff Reports
West Jones will be sitting on a six-game winning streak when Brookhaven slips into Soso next Friday. Brookhaven has a similar streak, just longer at nine games, after barely downing South Jones Friday night, 43-37. The winner between the Mustangs and Panthers will wear the 2017 Region 3-5A crown.
West Jones set up their showdown with Brookhaven with a fine 35-8 tune-up against Wingfield. Jasper Jones put the hosts on the board first with a 10-yard TD scamper at the 1:23 mark of the opening quarter. Walker Thompson added the PAT, as he would do four other times on the evening.
Austin Land, who would rush for 42 yards on 14 totes for the game, posted the Mustangs second score with a 2-yard jaunt a little past the halfway mark of the second quarter. Lian Habersham’s fumble recovery for a score a few moments later pushed the halftime advantage for West Jones to 21-0.
Quarterback Dusty Cook found Jalen Graham for a 65-yard hook-up early in the second half, and Antonie Kirk rambled 76 yards on a kick-off return early in the fourth to give the Mustangs their 35 points.
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The win was the 140th victory of head coach Scott Pierson’s career at West Jones. Cook finished the game with 128 and the TD on 5 of 7 passing. Davrion Hatten grabbed two of Cook’s tosses for 36 yards.
Against Brookhaven next week the Mustangs’ defense will have to be at the top of its game. West Jones has given up about 15 points a game in 2017, while Brookhaven has surrendered about a touchdown more per outing, at nearly 22 points per game.
The Panthers offense, led by running backs Damarrell Leggett and Jaquarius Edwards, feature big-play capabilities, proven by their 42 points per game average.
West Jones averages just over 23 points an outing for the year, but the Mustangs have shown an offensive revival of sorts over the past few weeks, scoring 26 or more points in five of their last six contests.
Kick-off is set for 7:00 p.m. at Mustang Stadium.
