The Mansfield Little League Football teams had a week to relax and enjoy a well-deserved bye week this past week. The Tigers earned their bye week by being the #1 seed in the 3rd and 4th Grade division of the WCFL Playoffs and the #2 seed in the 5th and 6th Grade division. Now, it’s back to business for the Tigers as they prepare to take on a surging Lavaca Golden Arrows program.
Lavacas 3rd and 4th Grade was the #6 Seed and entered the Playoffs as the underdogs against the #3 JC Westside Rebels. The Golden Arrows lost to the Rebels just the week before but learned quickly how to win as they defeated JC Westside 24-14 in the first round of the Playoffs. The Golden Arrows 5th and 6th Grade entered at the #5 seed for the Playoffs and played against #5 Greenland. Lavaca hadn’t played Greenland in the regular season but took care of the Pirates none the less with a 16-6 win.
Even though Lavaca is on a roll, Mansfield knows success is achievable against the Golden Arrows. The Tiger teams put a whoopin’ on Lavaca in their regular season defeating the Golden Arrows with a two-team combined score of 74-8. The Tigers had the benefit of not only having a bye week to rest, but they will also have home-field advantage for the WCFL Playoff semifinal games. With everything looking towards victories in Mansfields favor, the Tigers are not looking past Lavaca. Practices continue this week as normal as the players and coaches work endlessly to earn their opportunity at WCFL Championship gold.
3rd and 4th Grade Coach, David Moore explains “What a year it’s been so far for the 3rd and 4th Grade Tigers. Our kids have shown up and showed out every week thus far. We talk to our kids every week about the target being on their back and that they have the hardest job of keeping it there. I truly believe we have one of the most well-rounded 3rd and 4th Grade teams in this part of the state. These kids show up every weekend ready to do their job. They are a very coachable group and that’s what makes them so great. They’re very smart and can adjust to anything we throw at them. With all that being said, we have a big game this weekend. Lavaca has a very good team over there and they’re coming for us. There is nothing harder in my opinion than beating a good team twice. It should definitely be a good one.”
5th and 6th Grade Coach, Steven Moore said “Our 5th and 6th Grade Tigers have had a great year so far. Coming into the playoffs with one loss is quite the feat in a league like this. We are trying to get redemption on an outstanding Magazine team but first, we have to make it by a very talented Lavaca team. We have put in a lot of work in this season to get where we are and we want to keep winning. Our team is well rounded offensively and defensively and work great together to achieve the same goal. That goal is the WCFL Championship. The kids show up every week for practices and games ready to play their hearts out and that’s all I can ask for.”
The semi-final round between Mansfield and Lavaca will take place on Saturday November 2nd at Mansfield. 3/4 Grade will start at 3 p.m. and 5/6 Grade will start at 4 p.m.
