Hooks 'happy' with role as second fiddle this year
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

For the first time in a long time, West Orange-Stark is not the pre-season favorites to win their football district.

And head coach Dan Hooks is happy with that.

"I like it that we are not the favorite and we have to go to Kirbyville and we're the underdogs," Hooks said. "I think that will motivate our kids. You can get used to being number one in the district too much and that can hurt you if you are not careful.

"That game at Kirbyville will be a tough one because it will be up there," Hooks said. "It could mean something as far as the playoffs are concerned and it probably will."

While most coaches in District 21-3A sing the praises of the district, Hooks didn't believe the district was "all that tough."

"From top to bottom, it wasn't all that tough really," Hooks said. "Kirbyville lost their quarterback the night we played them and we pretty much did what we wanted to do in district."

Hooks termed last year as "disappointing" for the way it turned out.

"I thought we had an excellent football team on both sides of the ball," Hooks said. "But we got in the Giddings game and didn't play real well and they did and sent us home. That's the way it is in the playoffs.

"We won 11 football games in a row and then lost one," Hooks said. "It was hard because of the caliber of team that we had. I thought our defense was better than it was the year before."

This year, Hooks will see a younger group of Mustangs take the field and he knows the scores of years past may catch up with them.

"We are young team this year and I'm afraid it may be a little different," Hooks said. "I think it will be challenge for everyone."

WO-S returns four offensive and four defensive starters this year. The rest of the squad will be made up of players off a 9-0 junior varsity squad last year.

Two key losses for the Mustangs were district MVP Earl Thomas and quarterback Andre Bevil.

"We had a good junior varsity team last year but they played on Thursday nights and not Friday nights," Hooks said. "Now they are going to play on Friday nights and we'll see how they respond."

Junior Octavious Hypolite is expected to take over the signal-calling duties for WO-S this year.

"We will have him for two years and that is unusual around here," Hooks said. "Normally, our quarterback is usually a senior and the last couple of years. That is going to be an advantage for us next year but we will wait and see what happens this year."

Hypolite will not be without a proven weapon in the backfield as running back DePaulrick Garrett returns after rushing for 1,327 yards and 17 touchdowns.

The Mustangs open the year against the highly ranked Class 4A Dayton Broncos. WO-S then will take on bitter rival Little Cypress-Mauriceville and then close out the non-district season against Bay City.

Hooks said the season would hinge on the play of his incoming young players.

"They have had a good off-season and did very well but until they get on the field with pads on, they are unproven," Hooks said.

Hooks believes Kirbyville is a solid favorite because of the players returning this year.

"The rest of us are just going to have to play and see who the other two playoff teams are," Hooks said. "I am hoping it will be us and somebody else."

Hooks knows that Jasper will improve this year on the field with the return of head coach Thomas Brooks.

"I know Thomas and I know he will do an excellent job," Hooks said. "Jasper will be a factor in district this year but it may take them another year.

"Jasper is the X factor in the district this year with Thomas coming in," Hooks said. "They are coming off a 2-8 season and that is very uncharacteristic for them."

He said the new coaches in the league also add a bit of mystery to the district this year.

"There will be some unknown factors with these new coaches coaching these teams," Hooks said. "It could be positive or negative - hopefully, they won't be too good.

"With eight teams in the league, you can't afford to lose many games," Hooks said.

In his 30th year of coaching, Hooks said he is looking forward to the start of the football campaign this year.

"I always look forward to it," Hooks said. "You lose your last game and you think you want to go and sell insurance and quit but as times goes on, you get around the kids and can't wait until August."