Mansfield Tigers cruise past Lake Ridge with dynamic passing attack to stay undefeated
It takes an elite mix of talent, chemistry, and preparation to go undefeated through six weeks of Texas high school football.
Mansfield (6-0) has shown signs of dominance and continued a fantastic stretch with a 49-14 victory over Mansfield Lake Ridge on Oct. 3 at Vernon Newsom Stadium. The Tigers are No. 5 in the Star-Telegram’s Class 6A rankings.
“With a rivalry game like this, you throw records out the window,” Mansfield head coach Greg George said. “Those don’t matter. We know we’re going to get their best effort, and our hope is always that we’re going to match that. I feel like our guys answered the call this week.”
Mansfield has had a demanding schedule thus far and has had to fight from behind and hold narrow leads. George has emphasized a focus on Tiger football, which helps the team keep its composure. Against the Eagles, the Tigers’ offensive onslaught was relentless.
“We’ve got to come out and play our brand of football with effort and intensity, and we want to do it the right way,” said George.
The Tigers missed the playoffs last season in a district of doom with Duncanville, DeSoto and more. Although challenging, it’s molded the Tiger program into what it is today. The current seniors are battle-hardened, and the tight games this season have given the newcomers valuable experience, according to George.
Now, Mansfield has firmly inserted itself in the conversation of District 3-6A playoff contenders and could even compete for a district title. However, the Tigers must still deal with a powerhouse: North Crowley.
Wide receivers Zion Robinson, Jacobe Hayes shine
Against Lake Ridge, junior Zion Robinson was effective, tallying 120 yards and three touchdowns on only four receptions. Robinson has offers from Oklahoma, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M and more.
“Zion is great outside,” George said. “He’s a receiver, and if we get him the ball, he can make things happen, as you saw tonight. We have a lot of players within our offense that can make plays.”
One of those players is senior Jacobe Hayes, a UNT commit, who finished with 100 yards and three touchdowns. George said he does “everything” on the field, which includes effective kick and punt returns.
“He’s just been a critical element to our team,” George said. “Not just offense, but to the entire team.”
Leading the offense is senior quarterback Braxton Van Cleave, a Kentucky baseball commit. He finished with 236 passing yards and five touchdowns with zero interceptions.
“He’s a dual sport standout, and he’s always been a really great quarterback for us,” George said. “He has intangibles. He’s very intelligent. He knows how to read defenses. He knows where everybody’s supposed to be, and he does just a great job of leading our offense.”
To start the game, Van Cleave unloaded a deep ball to Hayes for a 33-yard touchdown. After a Lake Ridge turnover on downs, Van Cleave once again found Hayes; this time, it was an 11-yard touchdown.
After another defensive stand, Van Cleave notched his third passing touchdown with a short pass to Robinson, who ran 32 yards to the end zone.
Before the halftime break, running back Jayden Vasquez broke free for a 79-yard touchdown, and Hayes added his third touchdown with a 27-yard rush.
In the third quarter, Robinson notched his second touchdowns; he caught a short pass, received a block, and shook off defenders for a 35-yard score.
Robinson also scored in the fourth quarter, flashing some speed on a streak to record a 52-yard score. It was the final score of the contest.
Mansfield will play Crowley at home on Oct. 10, and Lake Ridge will play North Crowley at Crowley ISD Stadium on Oct. 11.
“We have to prepare ourselves for how to play the game,” George said. “It doesn’t matter who we’re playing. We have to play the way we’re coached to play.”
This story was originally published October 3, 2024 at 9:43 PM.
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