Twenty-one years have passed since the Magazine Rattlers and the Mansfield Tigers faced each on the football field. Between the years of 96-99, both teams battled in conference play with Mansfield walking away victorious in all four match-ups. This will be the first time for the Rattlers and the Tigers to meet-up as non-conference opponents. Add to the fact that not only will this be the first home game of the season for Magazine who will be making this a blackout game, it will also couple as senior night. “We always seem to play well on senior night so that’s a good thing,” said head coach, Ryan Chambers. Sounds to me ladies and gentlemen like we are about to have an epic showdown of great proportion.
The Sr Rattlers have one game under their belt this season from their scrimmage with the Paris Eagles. The Sr Tigers are also showing up to this game with one scrimmage in their back pocket from their meet up with the Mena Bearcats last Friday night. There are still a few things Coach Chambers would like to nail down before this battle though. “We have got to straighten up our defensive line. We didn’t play too great against Paris in that department due to leaving some big holes for them to run through.”
The Sr Rattlers have been preparing for the game by watching film so that they will be ready to stop what the Tigers do well. “I think we match-up very well with both of our lines being big upfront. Skill position-wise, they are probably a little bit bigger especially their QB who is a pretty big kid.” When asked what he will be looking for within the first 5-10 minutes of the game, Coach Chambers responded, “We can’t come out flat like we did in our scrimmage with the Eagles. Paris kind of punched us in the mouth early real fast so we have got to take the fight to the other team right off the bat instead of them bringing it to us.”
Looking to lead the Rattlers this season are seniors Kobe Faughn, Tatum Scott, and William King. “Kobe is one of our best players who can step up and take leadership. Tatum is a third-year starting QB who has always been a good leader. And King who is a third-year starter on the offensive and defensive line has been stepping up nicely to lead on both sides of the ball.” The Magazine Rattlers and the Mansfield Tigers will join up on Friday, August 28 at Diamondback Stadium at 7 pm. Senior Night will start at 6:30.
