Pictured is #50 Easton Foley
The Mansfield Little League Tigers started with two teams and one goal. The West Central Football League Championships. The Tigers faced new and tough opponents all season, but both teams were able to overcome their obstacles and combine for a 15-1 regular-season record. When it came time for the playoffs, the Tigers knew they would host a team they have already faced this season in the Lavaca Golden Arrows. It’s never easy to beat the same team twice, but Mansfield pummeled the Golden Arrows on Saturday, November 2nd in the Playoff Semifinals to earn their spot in the Championship games on November 9th.
Mansfield’s 3rd and 4th Grade started off the afternoon with a convincing victory over Lavaca 28-6. The Tiger offense exploded right off the bat when Colton Nelson took a handoff and broke Arrow ankles as he darted downfield for a huge 75-yard touchdown. Colton Moore tacked on the two-point conversion to give the Tigers an early 8-0 lead. Everyone grabbed some popcorn as they watch the Hunter Whittaker show take over the game. Whittaker scored back to back touchdowns before the half with one of them being a massive 70-yard run giving the Tigers a 20-0 lead going into halftime.
After the short break, the Tigers were determined to put the game away. With a mix of speed and power, Mansfield punished the Lavaca defenders on every snap. Whittaker again scored off of a smooth 36-yard run and Moore added the extra points to jump the score to 28-0. The Tigers’ defense did their job to near perfection. Using what they’ve been coached, they chopped down Lavaca’s big backs with low tackles and hard hits. The Mansfield D was a complete unit the entire game holding the golden Arrows to a mere 6 points.
The Tigers 5th and 6th Grade proved that a week off didn’t make them rusty. It only made them better. Mansfield put the Lavaca team between an offensive rock and a defensive hard place as they shut out the Golden Arrows 38-0. The Tigers defense mauled the Golden Arrows at every turn viciously creating turnovers and tackles for loss. Defenders Ethan Martin, James Bausley, Jr Cash, and Alex Hecox made short work of would-be blockers to get to the Lavaca backs while Cooper Edwards, Dawson Robinson, Dominic Shores, and Cordell Stone cut down anyone who dared to run outside.
Offensively, Robinson did what he does best. Score off of big runs. Robinson scored on runs of 23 yards, 6 yards, and 80 yards leaving the Golden Arrow defense in his dust. Cooper Edwards zipped a laser pass to Ethan Martin who played a perfect tip ball drill to come up with the touchdown. Caiden Whittaker made his presence known with his own 26-yard touchdown and Blaine Berry added on the extra points. Keaton Oliver had two extra-point conversions in the game and Stone made a few stunning runs to keep Lavaca on their heels.
With their victories, the Tiger squads have secured their spots in the WCFL Championship games. Mansfields 5th and 6th Grade will look to avenge their only loss on the season as they square off against the #1 seeded Magazine Rattlers in what should be a game for the ages. The Tigers 3rd and 4th Grade will make their second consecutive championship appearance as they take on the #5 seeded Mountainburg Dragons for the championship gold. The WCFL Championship games will be held in Hackett with the 3rd and 4th Grade starting at 5:30 p.m. and the 5th and 6th Grade playing at 4:00 p.m.
