On Tuesday, August 27, the Mansfield Jr High Tigers suited up for war and headed into enemy territory as they took on the Hackett Hornets. As the battle insued both teams took turns firing off massive shots at each other in a close and very exciting rivalry game. After the smoke settled, the Tigers came out with a 20-13 loss.
The first half of the game was dominated by defense. The Tigers didn’t hold back on their massive tackles as they hit the Hackett offensive players with pops so loud they had fans putting in earplugs. Manfield defensive backs Tyler Woolbright, Greyson Baggett, and Logan Cravey were head hunters all night putting the Hornets on notice with hit after hit after hit.
Mansfield went into halftime down 6-0 to Hackett, but that didn’t last long as the 3rd quarter started with Tiger fireworks. On the opening kickoff of the 3rd quarter, Drew Elmore imposed his will on the Hornets by forcefully stripping the ball from the Hackett returner and taking it all the way to the house tying up the game at an even 6-6.
On Hacketts very next possession, Mansfields Ashton Toon picked off a Hornet pass giving the Tigers the ball right back. Quarterback Fisher Willsey then threaded the needle with a pass hitting Darton Hoopengarner for the quick Mansfield Tiger touchdown. Clint Stovall tacked on the extra point giving the Tigers their first lead of the night at 13-6.
Although the Tigers lost a close one, they definitely showed intensity and grit as a team by defensively creating multiple turnovers and offensively creating big-play capabilities. “Overall I thought we did fairly well,” says Head Coach, Tim Cothran. “The humidity really got to us. When we got tired some of our assignments and our discipline broke down. That hurts a little bit but we will work to improve all of those things and be ready for the next one.” The Jr High Tigers will see action again when they host the Waldron Bulldogs on Thursday, September 5 starting at 5:30 p.m.
