Mustangs draw Tensas next
by Joe Durham, Jr. - posted Wednesday, August 30th, 2006 @ 3:41 pm

The River Oaks Mustangs successfuly began defense of their 2005 Mississippi Private School Association state 1A title Friday night with a 24-12 vcitory over Briarfield Academy.

This week, the Mustangs will travel to Tensas Academy

"We had a jamboree against them two weeks ago and they look pretty good," said River Oaks coach Robert Hannah.

"They've got a good tailback in Will Ratcliffe, and a real good running back in Zack Jones," Hannah said.

"They are a lot like Briarfield," Hannah said. "We'll have to correct our mistakes this week" Hannah said. "One of the breakdowns was the special teams on the 95-yard kickoff return."

Glenbrook defeated Tensas last week 21-14, but according to Hannah, Tensas dominated play.

"They are a lot like we are," Hannah said. "They have players going both ways."

In last week's game against Briarfield, the Mustangs answered the kickoff return score with a touchdown of their own when quarterback Cody Trichell hit Tyler Ginn on a 32-yard strike against Briarfield.

Other touchdowns were scored by Cody Smith, and Zachary Scogin. Smith had 77 yards on 12 carries and Cody Newsome had 82 yards on 11 carries.

Scogin had 83 yards on seven carries.

Both teams missed the extra point attempts, and the score was 6-6.

River Oaks pulled ahead 22-6 at the intermission.

"Defensively we played better than we thought we would," Hannah said. "I thought part of the problem Friday night was we got tired.'

The Mustangs ran their winning streak to 15-0 with the victory.

River Oaks returns home to take on Glenbrook in the MPSA district opener the following week.

The Mustangs will rely on Trichell to guide them down the same road Douglas Walker did last year.

Zach Scogin and Cody Newcomb are in the backfield this year replacing Sam Herman from the championship team last season

Both players do have some experience coming in to the season.