Three interceptions and Gilbert’s four-touchdown performance too much for Mustangs to overcome
Humble – Multitalented running back, Sherman Gilbert rushed for 225 yards, scored four touchdowns and the defense recorded four turnovers to lead Coldspring-Oakhurst, to a 35-13 victory over West Orange-Stark in the Class 3A Division II Region III Finals on Friday at Turner Stadium.
The win puts the Trojans (14-0), last year’s Class 3A Division II Region III state finalist on the doorstep of another semifinal appearance, where it will face the winner of Devine/Wimberley, 7 pm next Saturday at a site and time to be determined.
Gilbert, who started on both sides of the ball, gave the Mustangs fits all evening. His 46-yard interception touchdown, while playing defensive back, opened the scoring with 9:30 left in the first quarter. From the RB position, his workhorse effort earned Gilbert three rushing TDs, 2, 30 and 2-yards.
Not to be out-done, West Orange-Stark (10-4) matched the score, when Jimmy Salter threw a 25-yard TD strike to WR Nathaniel Colbert over the middle, giving one defender a head fake and raced into the end zone. With Greg Dunham’s extra point kick, the game was tied 7-7.
The Trojans played with a lot fire and were very active on both sides of the ball. On offense, Coldspring-Oakhurst racked up 476 total yards. Defensively, DT Chance Andries and company kept the Mustangs under pressure throughout, forcing three interceptions and a fumble. For West Orange-Stark, 273 yards and stopping the run was a huge challenge. Once the Trojans discovered a soft spot in the middle of the Mustangs defense, Gilbert and crew were unstoppable.
Cornel Thompson, West Orange-Stark’s coach said, “We knew it be hard rock mining for four quarters; we knew it would be a 48-minute football game and of course they made plays and we didn’t”.
A steady load of Gilbert and Colton Monroe helped the Trojans score its third TD, resulting in Gilbert’s 2-yard run, to help Coldspring-Oakhurst carry a 21-13 lead into halftime. Two of the three Trojan drives were setup by interceptions, the second coming from free safety JT Wilson.
“The game started great but when we starting loosing, people began to give up. You can’t give up when you’re down”, said Colin Janice, West Orange-Stark’s DE/DE/TB.
After a scoreless third quarter, Coldspring-Oakhurst scored 14 straight fourth quarter points to open a 35-13 lead. At midfield, the Trojans started a drive and increase its lead, 27-13, on Gilbert’s 30-yard TD sprint. Just after, an opportunistic Coldspring-Oakhurst’s special team recovered a fumble at the Mustangs 36-yard line after LB Patrick Giddens grabbed the loose ball. Later, with possession of the ball, Trojan’s Gilbert scored on a 2-yard run, his final TD of the evening and converted the 2-point conversion with a 3-yard carry to build its largest lead of the game, one that would stick, 35-13.
“Our kickoff coverage was horrible”, said Coldspring-Oakhurst coach, Bryan Barbay, so went ahead and onside kicked it and got a break on that. We scored again and that gave a little breathing room.”
Colton Monroe added 91 yards on 17 carries and a TD, for Coldspring-Oakhurst. QB Jimmy Salter, 9 of 25 for 116 yards, a TD, and 3-INTs, led the Mustangs while WR Nathaniel Colbert caught five for 76 yards.