The Mansfield JR High football team started off their 2022 season with many holes to fill and questions to answer. A program that finished as conference runner-up in 2021 now had to step up and try to not only repeat but try to do even better. Losses to Charelston and Booneville hijacked their hopes of a conference championship and a shot at repeating as conference runner-up. However, for the JR Tigers there is no stopping the effort of this JR High crew as they endeavored to persevere. The Tigers could still match their conference record from the previous year and even pull off a record-setting seven total wins for the year. But first, they had to go through the Cedarville Pirates.
Photo courtesy of Raine Hecox
Mansfield started off the game on offense and quickly went to the passing attack. Tigers quarterback Cooper Edwards rolled out of the pocket and slung a pass intended for Dominic Shores. Unfortunately for the Tigers, a Cedarville defender picked the pass off. The interception was called off by a pass interference penalty though and the Tigers were back in business. Not to be deterred, Mansfield rebounded on the very next play with a short shovel pass to Ethan Martin who rolled 55 yards for a Tiger touchdown. Martin then ran in a two-point conversion putting the Tigers up 8-0 early in the first quarter. The Tigers defense then took charge and shut down Cedarville’s offense with big tackles by Alex Hecox, Zander Walters, and Dawson Robinson. The big play would have shut down Cedarville quickly, but a few mental mistakes and penalties allowed the Pirates to stay in the mix. Mistakes happen though and once they were fixed Mansfield was able to force a Pirate punt. Defensive end, Matthew Burton, was Johnny on the spot on the kick as he was able to get a hand on the ball creating a short punt that gave Mansfield solid field position.
Photo courtesy of Raine Hecox
With Mansfield having the ball at the 16-yard line, running back Zander Walters plowed his way in for a one-play 16-yard touchdown. Walters then seemingly walked across the goal line for a two-point conversion stretching the Tigers lead to 16-0. Mansfield’s defense went back to work taking only two Cedarville plays to shock the scoreboard. Tigers linebacker, Zander Walters, intercepted a Pirates pass and sprinted 36 yards downfield for a turnover touchdown. Dawson Robinson ran in the two-point conversion setting Mansfield up with a 24-0 lead in the first quarter. Robinson remained hot on defense when Cedarville got the ball back as he intercepted a pass for a touchdown. A penalty negated the pick six though and Cedarville continued their drive. The first quarter ended with the Pirates having the ball, but Mansfield was dominating on the scoreboard 24-0.
Photo courtesy of Raine Hecox
Cedarville bounced back on their first play of the second quarter scoring from three yards out. The Pirates couldn’t tack on their two-point conversion though setting the score at 24-6. Mansfield’s Gunner Williams made a wild 44-yard return on the ensuing kickoff which put the Tigers right back in Pirates territory. Tigers receiver, Matthew “Bear” Burton, came through on a speed sweep and “Beared” down on Cedarville’s defense taking the ball 41 yards for another Mansfield Tiger touchdown. After another two-point conversion, the Tigers were roaring 32-6. Mansfield emptied their roster for the remainder of the contest allowing players to get a feel for the game. Each and every team member was able to rack up a positive stat for the books by the final sound of the clock as Mansfield finished the game with a 40-30 victory.
Photo courtesy of Raine Hecox
The JR High Tigers finished their season with a win and more notably a 5-2 conference record adding up to a 7-2 overall record. This conference record matches the 2021 teams 5-2 record proving that the program has sustained stability in its success. Mansfield outscored opponents 224-150 this season which shows that they are not a one side of the ball program. The JR High program will lose a star-studded group of 15 ninth graders for next season, most of who will contribute big time for the SR High program in upcoming seasons. Although that is a lot of players to replace, it shouldn’t be a huge concern for anyone. There are many eighth graders who started and contributed during the season and are up to any task placed before them. The future of Mansfield Tigers JR High football is in their hands now and they will not disappoint.
