It was like two bulls in the ring Friday night here at War Eagle Stadium as West Jones took control of Division 3-5A play with a 17-7 win over Wayne County.

The Mustangs remained undefeated in division play with a 6-0 record (8-0 overall), while the War Eagles fell to 5-1 in the division and 7-2 overall. It marked the second straight win for the Mustangs over the War Eagles. West Jones handed Wayne County their only loss of the year in the third round of the playoffs last season.

“This is just a stepping stone for us,” said West coach Scott Pierson. “We’ve been here before and then come up short on our ultimate goal. We’ve got to stay focused and remember what we are playing for.”

The Mustangs took the lead for good on their opening possession of the second half, moving from their own 19 to the Wayne 21. The drive stalled, but Hunter Estes connected on a 45 yard field goal with 8:16 still left in the third quarter to make it 10-7.

The Mustangs added a touchdown with 4:20 left in the contest when Devontay Barnett crashed into the end zone on a 4-yard sweep. The PAT was true for the final score.

Meanwhile, the Mustangs defense turned away Wayne County four times inside West Jones territory, including a drive which culminated with the ball being turned over at the West Jones 1.

Wayne County put the first points on the board early in the second quarter when Dewayne Davis crashed into the end zone from three yards out with 10:16 remaining in the second quarter. The drive capped an 8-play, 95-yard drive which was spearheaded 38-yard pass form Eagle quarterback Demarcus Henderson to Shaurice Cunningham and a 34-yard run by Davis.

West Jones’ first score came on the next possession as the Mustangs marched 76 yards for the score as Barnett scored from a yard out.

Including last season’s 10-7 victory in the playoffs, it marks the first time that West Jones has recorded back-to-back victories over the War Eagles.

Henderson hurt his knee in the fourth period and left the game.