Stephen F. Austin State University

WEST ORANGE — After cutting down opposing defenses for the past two seasons as the quarterback of the West Orange-Stark Mustangs, Ortavious Hypolite will attempt to mow down opposing offenses as a Lumberjack.

Make that a Stephen F. Austin University Lumberjack in beautiful, hilly Nacogdoches.

Hypolite picked the Southland Conference schools over such other schools as Army, Lamar and Northwestern State.

“I had a tough choice to make but SFA is definitely the best place for me to be,” said Hypolite. “There’s is a lot of opportunity there for me not only as a football player, but a student as well. There’s great education opportunities at SFA. Just talking to the coaches a bunch gave me a bunch of confidence and they have a lot of confidence in me.”

Hypolite will make the switch to the defensive side of the ball, likely the free safety position.

“It’s something I’m ready for,” said Hypolite. “I played defense some in high school. Once I get to SFA, I will build up some more muscle and I’m still working out hard here at school. It’s going to be different. Instead of being the one taking the punishment, I’ll get to dish some out.”

Long-time Mustang head coach Dan Hooks feels the Lumberjacks have a keeper.

“I think Nacogdoches is going to love Ortavious as much as he’s going to love it,” said Hooks. “SFA is getting one heckuva young man. He’s the type of kid that’s a leader on and off the field. He makes top-notch grades and is always willing to learn to get better in anything that he does.”

Hooks feels Hypolite can make a defensive impact at SFA.

“Hypolite has a typical free safety body,” said Hooks. “He reminds me a lot of Michael Ledet, who went on and played so well at Tulsa. Sometimes I wish we could have used him more on defense here but he was so darn valuable at quarterback. What a great kid. It seems like he was just in eighth grade and know he’s going to be gone and heading to SFA. He’s a kid that certainly deserves it.”

Hypolite had plenty of praise for the WO-S program.

“I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the guidance of the great coaching staff and teachers here at WO-S,” said Hypolite. “The memories will last a lifetime. It’s going to be a different feeling not playing at Mustang Stadium when the Friday night lights come on. I’ll be back to watch though, when I can.”

Hypolite, the Leader’s Most Valuable Player on the 2008 Leader Football Team, led the Mustangs to two straight District 21-3A titles and a 21-3 record in his two years as a starter.

As a senior, Hypolite completed 94-of-165 passes for 1,469 yards and 15 touchdowns and had just four interceptions. He also rushed for 810 yards and 12 TDs on 134 carries.

In his two-year run, Hypolite completed 199-of-345 passes for 2,850 yards and 26 TDs and rushed for 1,491 and 26 TDs.