‘A great game plan’: Mansfield Timberview scores 90 points in thrashing of Dallas Sunset
Mansfield Timberview scored a whopping 90 points.
It was more than enough for Timberview (8-0, 6-0) to secure a shutout win over Dallas Sunset at Newsom Stadium on Thursday. Sunset finished with negative 22 total yards and negative 50 rushing yards.
Mansfield Timberview head coach Robby DeSanto said his team was focused and worked hard throughout the week.
“We’re just trying to set us up for an opportunity to make a deep playoff run,” DeSanto said.
DeSanto mentioned his team needs to showcase more discipline in order to win against elite competition in the playoffs. Quarterback Zuric Humes and athlete Cameron Bates agreed.
“We have to make to make sure we solidify not shooting ourselves in the foot as we move forward throughout the rest of this season,” DeSanto said.
The Wolves took control of the game from the start, and it was clear the Bison didn’t have the ability to compete. Still, Mansfield Timberview played with a viable excitement, scoring relentlessly. At times, they were a bit too revved up; Timberview had 10 penalties.
“We’ve got to clean it up, for sure,” DeSanto said. “A little bit of execution. A little bit of our guys being over excited. ... We have a big task ahead of us next week and we understand that we have to make a lot of improvements in all three phases of our game.”
The “big task” DeSanto referred to is a game with the undefeated Richland Royals, who will face Birdville Friday.
“They’re a great team,” DeSanto said. “They have a very good squad. They got a very good running back. Very good offensive and defensive lineman. Good group of skilled kids. They’re fast. We know we have to be prepared for everything that they are going to throw at us.”
A whole lot of Timberview touchdowns
Junior wide receiver Tyler Madison got the scoring started with a 50-yard touchdown. He hit a hesitation but quickly accelerated to fly past a defender, running down the sideline to the end zone.
Following an interception and 36 yard return from defensive back Elijah Pratt, running back Jaylon Woods tallied a 46-yard rush and followed it up with a 10-yard touchdown scamper.
DeSanto called Pratt a “tough, hard nosed safety.”
“He likes to fly around and make plays,” DeSanto said. “A very emotional player. He’s probably the emotional leader of the back end of our defense.”
Madison extended the lead with his second score, catching a ball from Humes and taking it 54 yards for the score.
Usually, senior kicker Tyler Strumila runs past the ball to clear the way for Emma Young, who does most kickoffs and PATs. On the kickoff, however, Strumila attempted an onside kick.
Davin Hill layed out a hard hit and the ball came free and was recovered by the Wolves. DeSanto said that was how the coaching staff envisioned the onside kick attempt would play out.
“We practice with our two kick system that we run,” DeSanto said. “Trying to keep everyone on their toes.”
Woods then bulldozed his way to the 1-yard line on a 27-yard run, making contact with several Sunset defenders and powering through. He finished the series with an easy 1-yard touchdown run.
After the defense forced a sunset punt from the 7, Humes found Cameron Bates for a 36-yard touchdown reception on the second play of the drive.
The Bisons simply couldn’t do anything right on offense. Following two short gains, sophomore linebacker Caden Bates intercepted a pass after both teams played hot potato with the football in the air. Timberview took over; Humes dropped back for a pass but decided to run to the right, turning the corner for a 10-yard touchdown.
The Bisons got the ball back but quickly lost it. Defensive lineman Dilan Battle tackled quarterback Nathan Jasso, who fumbled. Linebacker Sean Larry picked up the football and went untouched, picking up 6 points.
With Cameron Bates in at quarterback, the offensive onslaught continued. He rolled out of the pocket looking to pass and had a man trailing him; he commit to the run and continued on for a 29-yard touchdown.
DeSanto called Cameron Bates a “gadget” and a “weapon” due to his versatility on the field.
“We can move him in and out,” DeSanto said. “All around. He gives defense problems because they have to account for him in more than just a receiver position.”
Defense and special teams thrive
Timberview’s defense and special teams kept the scoring going. Linebacker Joseph Foster picked off a pass that was thrown directly to him, taking it to the end zone without contact.
Once the second half began, it was the special teams’ time to shine. On a Sunset punt, multiple Timberview players brought the pressure and blocked the punt; Foster recovered the football, returning it for his second consecutive touchdown.
After a solid kick return that saw the Bison get across the 50 for the first time, Caden Bates intercepted a pass on the first play of the drive, taking it 70-yards for the score. It was his second interception of the day.
Mansfield Timberview was having fun. Battle, a 6-foot-3, 305 pound defensive lineman, was given an opportunity as a ball carrier. He delivered and ran 4 yards for a touchdown.
The final score of the contest was a 5-yard touchdown from sophomore running back Taylor Hanson.
Humes threw for 196 yards and 3 touchdowns. He consistently found open receivers who had room to run.
“The coaches -- they put in a great game plan,” Humes said. “We just came out and executed very well.”
Woods led the ground game with 119 yards and 2 touchdowns on 7 attempts. Madison thrived as a pass catcher, gaining 115 yards and scoring 2 touchdowns with only three total receptions.
This story was originally published October 20, 2023 at 12:17 AM.
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