With the way the two competing schools junior high squads have been performing this season, along with both teams heavy reliance on sophomores and juniors, get ready to hear these words for the next several years: Friday night, it will be Charleston vs. Mansfield for the 3A-1 Conference Championship.
Charleston vs. Mansfield – History
Charleston holds a 37-17-1 advantage dating back to a 7-7 tie in 1937. The two teams played off and on with several breaks in between 1937 and 1999. There was another break from 2000-2005, and the two teams have played every year since 2006. During this span, Charleston holds a 15-5 advantage, including seven in a row from 2011 to 2017. Charleston has also won five of their six state championships since 2006. Mansfield won the meeting in both 2018 and 2019, and has won the last two in 2024 and 2025. Charleston is trying to avoid losing three straight to Mansfield for the first time since 1981-1983.
Six weeks ago, following the conclusion of non-conference play, there was a lot of doubt around the state that this game would ultimately come to decide the 3A-1 champ. After all, Greenland, Lavaca, and Cedarville all had better non-conference records. Was this the year the 3A-1 flipped itself around and saw some new powers? Both teams lost a large graduating class from 2025, so there would naturally be some growing pains.
Charleston and Mansfield – 2025 Seasons
Mansfield was coming off an undefeated 3A-1 state championship season in 2025, its first in school history. Mansfield dispatched Walnut Ridge, Bismarck, and Salem in the playoffs, all at home. This set up a championship game at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock against Fordyce, which they won 40-30.
Charleston certainly had championship aspirations of their own in 2025, but a narrow 32-27 loss at Mansfield (highlighted by three uncharacteristic turnovers) in the regular season dropped Charleston to second in conference. They would win their first playoff game handily, scoring 71 points against Barton, but ultimately fell short at Fordyce in controversial fashion in the second round. The Redbugs would go on to challenge Mansfield for the state title.
Both teams lost heavily from their 2025 teams. Mansfield lost their entire offensive line, and 2025 Arkansas player of the year Andrew Burton. Charleston lost several contributors on offense, including four of the top five wide receivers, All-State quarterback Carter Little, four offensive linemen, and speedster running back Garred Smithson.
2026 So Far
The red Tigers had a tough non-conference schedule, and would alternate wins and losses with a loss to Dardanelle, a win over Mena, and a loss to Oklahoma power Talihina. This would set up their final non-conference game against defending 4A state champion Elkins. Mansfield would go on to play perhaps their most complete game all season in a 52-27 win over the Elks.
The black-and-gold Tigers started 0-3 in non-conference, against 4A-4 competition. Charleston clawed back in their opening game against Booneville, but ultimately fell short 34-27. Charleston would then have two lopsided losses to Pottsville and Ozark due to turnovers and lack of offensive execution. Charleston trailed Clinton on the road in their fourth game at halftime, 21-10. But in that locker room, something changed. And the Tigers haven’t looked back since.
“Something happened at Clinton because there is where it all started to click,” said Charleston head coach Ricky May. “Hopefully that helps us in tight games in the future.”
Mansfield comes into the de facto conference championship game with a 5-0 conference record. This will be their last game of the regular season, as they have a bye week in Week 10. Charleston comes in with a 4-0 conference record, and has one game at Lavaca left during Week 10 to end the season. With Lavaca having two losses, Charleston can clinch the 3A-1 title with a win against Mansfield, regardless of the outcome against Lavaca.
Tale of the Tape
Mansfield scores points in big chunks, with a conference leading 422 total points on the season, averaging 47 points per game. Unlike last season, Mansfield has relied heavily on explosive plays rather than grinding out the clock. The Tigers’ rushing attack, led by Silas Burton, Colton Moore, and Jeremiah Burton, presents a balanced attack of speed and power. They run behind a young offensive line that was expected to be a weakness on the team after losing five seniors from 2025, but has turned into a strength. The young line, with zero seniors, has paved the way for 3,284 total yards on the ground this season.
“They are very talented and have a number of explosive players that can go the distance at any time,” said coach May. “Hope we can play hard in turn, and slow them down.”
Mansfield has also been a threat through the air this season going for 709 yards and 10 touchdowns so far. A majority of those stats were racked up by junior Jubal Parks, but after an injury, freshman Elijah Burton was called up from junior high, and the Tigers offense hasn’t missed a beat.
Charleston has been a bit more methodical in their offensive approach in the 2026 campaign compared to years past.
Finn Schmalz, who contributed heavily in the 2025 playoffs after a Smithson injury against Barton, takes over as the full-time featured running back. Finn is a physical runner who doesn’t shy away from contact. In his first year as the feature back, Schmalz has contributed 558 yards on the ground with five touchdowns, averaging 7.8 yards per carry. Finn’s older brother, Gunner, has also seen some work in the ground game at recent weeks, adding in 79 yards and 2 touchdowns. Gunner, one of the few seniors on the team, also leads the team defensively with 10 tackles for loss.
Junior Lukas Burleson takes over at quarterback this year, and saw heavy playing time in 2025 primarily on defense. Burleson has thrown for 724 yards on the season for nine touchdowns, to only two interceptions. He is coming off his best passing performance of the season against West Fork, tallying 177 yards and three touchdowns. He had a completion percentage of 100%, going 9-of-9. Lukas is also a threat in the running game with 337 yards and five touchdowns. Burleson sees heavy playing time at linebacker with 29 tackles, with six tackles for loss.
Matteo Gaona was one of the key guys returning at wide receiver, and was also a starter last season at defensive back. Matteo has been the leading receiving threat so far in the 2026 season with 389 yards and five touchdowns. But the Tigers have seen increased contributions in recent weeks from Isaac Dodson and Ryder Julian.
“Isaac and Ryder have came along nicely,” said Charleston assistant coach and offensive coordinator Matt Stewart. “Isaac started the year with a hamstring injury, but he’s back to full strength and I think that’s noticeable in his production the last few weeks. Ryder has quietly developed into a ‘go-to’ receiver for us.”
The emergence of Dodson and Julian has without a doubt opened up the offense, giving more options for Burleson to take advantage of. This has also helped take away some of the double teams Gaona was seeing.
“Their production has helped alleviate some of the pressure that’s been on Matteo’s shoulders since early in the season,” said Stewart. “The timing that our receivers have developed since our bye week has provided an added dimension to our offense that we need in order to finish the last leg of our regular season.”
Big Game Atmosphere
One thing is for sure, on Friday night, you can forget about everything that has happened up to this point. Forget about the non-conference wins and losses, and forget about comparing scores of common opponents. Both teams have 48 minutes to show the state who is the best team in 3A-1. And Alumni Field will be packed and loud on Friday night, from both sides.
“It should be a huge crowd and get a little loud,” said Coach May. “I hope we have so many that they get crazy during the game!”
Challenge accepted, Coach. Student section and fans, are you ready? Pack the stands Friday night, and make it loud. Action starts at 7 p.m. Friday at Alumni Field.
