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The West Orange-Stark Mustangs took down the reigning 4A Texas Southwest Prep state champion Episcopal Knights, 45-38.

Friday night’s win was one of the most thrilling games in recent memory at Dan Hooks Stadium in West Orange. Big plays put plenty of points on the scoreboard as the Mustangs emerged victorious, due in large part to sophomore halfback Khelvy Jefferson’s three-TD night.

“That’s our strongest suit,” WO-S Head Coach Hiawatha Hickman said postgame. “We’ve got a big offensive line that can move people. Khelvy’s a great back. Of course, you saw Tahj (Amerson) made a great run. We got a multitude of backs.”

The Mustangs started the high-scoring affair early when Jefferson struck with a 10-yard touchdown run. The Knights quickly fired back with a 24-yard TD pass caused by a broken coverage shell, however, Jefferson broke loose on the Mustangs’ next possession for a 44-yard score.

A screen pass by the Knights’ offense was tipped and intercepted by Mustang linebacker Anterrion Fontenot in opposing territory. Quarterback Marcus Turner Jr. tossed a pass to Jefferson, and the shifty halfback scampered 28 yards to the end zone for another score and put his team ahead, 21-7 to end the first quarter.

The Mustangs increased the lead by another three points to start the second when Brian Hernandez booted a 25-yard field goal attempt through the uprights. West Orange-Stark’s defense forced a turnover on downs before Amerson took a handoff for a 62 yard house call.

The Knights scored on a 10-yard touchdown pass to end the first half, but the Mustangs remained ahead 31-14 at the half.

Episcopal’s offense began to click in the second half behind an increasingly dangerous passing game. They began to pick apart the young Mustangs secondary once strong safety Arthur Hayes exited the game with an injury.

A field goal, 20-yard touchdown pass and a five-yard touchdown run suddenly had the Knights tied with the Mustangs before the end of the third quarter, 31-31.

West Orange-Stark pulled back ahead when Miketavion Davis hauled in a Turner Jr. pass for a 65-yard TD. An interception by Ja’Mikael Davis gave the ‘Stangs possession again, but a costly fumble inside the Knights’ five-yard-line meant WO-S lost the ball just as soon as they’d gained it.

However, the Mustangs snatched it right back when Davis intercepted a throw and took it 13 yards for a pick-six to give his team a 45-31 advantage.

The Knights did score once more on yet another 20-yard pass to make it a one-score game. They had a chance to tie the game late in the fourth quarter, but a strong group effort by the Mustang defense on fourth down led to a sack, effectively ending the game as WO-S emerged with the 45-38 win.

“Up until tonight, we’ve been playing really good defense,” Hickman said. “We gave up some tonight. But, watching a team like Episcopal, who won the state championship last year and got some players back, they get through and catch the ball. This is what we needed to see to get ready for what’s next.”

The Mustangs are now 3-1 ahead of a non-district home game with Almeta Crawford next week. After that, they’ll enter the bye week and look to get ready for the opening of the district slate.