When Mansfield’s 2026 schedule was released, one thing stood out: the Tigers no longer had a true rivalry game. Hackett had dropped to Class 2A and Waldron was nowhere to be found. But there is one program that has always been in the same boat, good years and bad, as the Tigers. The Cedarville Pirates. The Pirates were Mansfield’s opponent for the Tigers second ever State Playoff appearance in 1999 and the programs have had some grueling close games in the past. Though recent history has taken much of the bite out of the matchup, a short fuse that may have seemed snuffed out could still be ready to reignite. The Pirates have won only five total games since 2021, while Mansfield had outscored Cedarville 185-26 over the past four seasons. But this year’s trip to Pirates Cove suddenly carries a different feel for Mansfield. Cedarville will enter Friday night’s game with 4-1 overall record, already surpassing its win total from their previous two seasons while the Tigers are trying to drown out the high and low tides of a 3-2 start to the season.
From 2019 through 2021, the Cedarville Pirates went on a tear in the 3A-1 behind the leadership of then head coach, Max Washausen. The Pirates pummeled then 3A-1 conference foes teams like Lincoln, Lamar, and yes, Mansfield too during that run. Cedarville even had Charleston on the ropes in 2020 before falling 36-34. Once Coach Washausen left though, the program went into a ground up rebuild. But the Pirates newest captain, Coach Spencer Adams, has the wind back in Cedarville’s sails as the Pirates have stated off with a 4-1 overall record, an average of 30 points per game, and has even snatched the coveted Treasure Chest Trophy that had been missing for three straight years. It seems as if Poseidon has the Pirates back so far this year and defeating the defending State Champions this Friday night would be the biggest feather in Cedarville’s hat to date. Unfortunately for Cedarville though, their upcoming opponents had a close call against Lavaca last week and are looking to use the Pirates as a deep-sea souffle to put some fear back into the 3A-1.
Strength of schedule always adds some extra good and bad thoughts to early season showdowns. Mansfield’s first five opponents own a combined 14-7 record, compared with a 7-15 mark for Cedarville’s opposition. The Tigers played against three programs that appeared in State Championships last year while the Pirates took on 2A teams and programs that have been anchored at the bottom for years. If strength of schedule has all the power people say it does, then that edge appears to favor the Tigers. Last week’s homecoming game offers a warning against reading too much into the scheduling numbers though. Before last Friday’s game, Lavaca’s opponents held a combined 4-13 record, yet the Golden Arrows pushed Mansfield to the brink for the entire game on the Tigers’ home field. Now Mansfield must leave The Jungle and try to improve a 0-2 road record in a Pirates Cove that isn’t the friendliest place on earth. Add a wet forecast and potentially slick footing, and the stage is set for a rugged, unpredictable clash in Cedarville.
Rain and sloppy fields can hinder an offense that is heavily reliant of the passing game. Luckily for Mansfield, passing a just a fancy word, not an offensive game plan. Since Coach Overton arrived in 2023, Mansfield’s rushing attack has been the engine of the Tigers offense, and the numbers suggest there is no reason to change course. Through the first five games of 2026, Mansfield has piled up 1,801 rushing yards averaging an eye-popping 360 yards per game. Junior running back Jeramiah Burton leads the charge with 508 yards, while sophomore Colton Moore has added 456 and Silas Burton has powered his way to 416. Even behind a brand-new offensive line that has faced stiff defensive competition, the Tigers’ ground game remains one of the most dangerous attacks in Class 3A. Cedarville’ defense has only surrendered 70 points this season, but the Pirates have yet to encounter the kind of relentless rushing game Mansfield will bring aboard at Pirates Cove on Friday night.
On the other side of the ball, Mansfield’s defense enters the matchup with something to prove. While the Tigers lead the state in points scored, they sit third from the bottom in points allowed. Mansfield’s defense has surrendered 212 points in their first five games which has already surpassed the overall total of 210 points allowed from all 14 games last season. That’s not exactly solid, but the ranking does not tell the full story of a unit that is capable of delivering a serious punch. Junior Michale Carter sets the tone with a team-high 14 assists, four solo tackles and five tackles for loss, repeatedly disrupting opponents in the backfield. His partner in the trenches, Clayton Garrison, has contributed three solo tackles and six assists to reinforce the Tigers’ wall of pain. In space, Silas Burton has been a dangerous open-field defender with 11 solo tackles, one forced fumble and a sack. While the Tigers pass defense struggled early on in the season, they’re slowing improving Altogether, seven Mansfield defenders have reached double digits in total tackles, giving the Tigers plenty of playmakers to call upon against the Pirates.
Even though ten of the last seventeen meetings were determined by 10 points or less, to place the title of rivalry on this game may be a little premature. The Tigers have proven that they can hang with the best of the best for three straight years while Cedarville has yet to prove that they have all of the holes in their boat plugged. While a young Tigers team away from home in the mud and muck may seem like easy pickings for a progressing Pirates program, Mansfield is still one of the most dangerous teams in the 3A. If a resurging Cedarville Pirates team truly is working its way back up from the depths though, they’ll have to melt down their cannons Friday night to be able to sail off with a win over the defending State Champion Tigers. Through all of the stats and schedules that can be thrown out there, the game itself will tell the tale that matters. Both teams are ready to prove that their critics are wrong but only will leave with the proof that matters on the scoreboard. Kickoff will be at 7:00pm on Friday, October 2nd in Cedarville.
