Sports

Coming off a statement win against the 4A opponent Green Oaks Giants on September 13, the Class 2A Mansfield High School Wolverines traveled to Burton Stadium on Friday, September 20, to face another 4A opponent, the Northwood Falcons. However, this time, the smaller Wolverine team led by Darrell Barbay, MHS Head Coach, could not overcome the strength of the perennial 4A powerhouse Falcons.

The first quarter started the game with Wolverine hopes high, for within the final four minutes of the quarter, the Wolverines scored not once but twice! TDs from Junior #19 Jakorion Greer and Senior #1 QB Sharmal Booker put the Wolverines ahead when the quarter ended. Defensive efforts from Wolverine Seniors #7 Jaylyn Howard, #10 Jacoby Dewitt, #14 Jamorion Atkins, and #71 Daveion Davis, held the Falcons to only one score in the quarter: MHS 12, NHS 7.

The Mansfield High School Wolverine Football team entered their home field ready for football on Friday, September 13, 2024. The 2A Wolverines hosted the 3A Giants from Green Oaks High School. With the first regular season game being a nail-biter loss for the Wolverines, Head Coach Darrell Barbay and his young men were ready for a win . . . and a win was what they got!

The Giants scored on their first possession of the game, despite some excellent defense from Wolverines Senior #24 Jaden Ross, Senior #14 Jamorian Atkins, and Sophomore #22 Zayvon Sanders. The Wolverines did not immediately answer with a score, but on the next Giant possession, an interception by Senior #2 Kalvin Jackson gave the Wolverines the ball and the chance to engage in a scoring drive. Led by Senior QB #1 Sharmal Booker and with a running game from Senior #5 Jaylen O’Neal and Junior #9 Terrell Pegues, the Wolverines quickly answered the Giants and the first quarter ended in a tie game: 8 – 8.

The Griffins were coming off a big week one win against Union. Week two wouldn’t be any easier as they crossed state lines to take on Center Tx. This would be the third straight year these two teams played with the Griffins coming out on top the past two seasons.

It was a nice and sunny evening, a perfect day for some high school football. Logansport kicks off the season on the road to face the Many Tigers. First things first, coin toss. The Many Tigers win the coin toss but chose to defer to the second half, this puts Logansport’s offense on the field first. #1 Carter and #9 Bland secure the first down’s marching to the 15 Yard line. #5 Packet scores the first touchdown for Logansport.

As the 2nd quarter starts Logansport scores again. Carter secures another first down leading the Tigers to the 2-yard line on 4th down. Logansport’s quarterback #6 Cason pushes hard and makes the touchdown. With 3 minutes remaining in the 2nd quarter Many goes for a deep pass but fumbles and #7 for Logansport recovers, landing the Logansport Tigers at the 13-yard line. #5 Packet scores a Tiger Touchdown and the 2-point conversion. This leads up to the halftime score of Logansport 28 and Many Tiger 0.

After a heartbreaking loss in the semifinals at home to end last season, North DeSoto is determined to finish the drill this time and “Kick down the door” and win a state championship this season. They would be tested early as defeating state champs Union Parish came to Stonewall.

Union received the ball to start the game. They had a long opening drive that drained a lot of time off the clock. After a lot of runs they completed a pass to the one yard line before running it in the next play for a touchdown. It was 7-0 with 7:50 left. The North DeSoto offense wasted no time, picking up where they left off last year. On the second play of the griffin drive, Luke Delafield found Cole Cory for 65 yards into the redzone.

On Friday, September 6, 2024, Mansfield High School’s Washington-Taylor-Rogers Stadium was the place to be. Head Coach Darrell Barbay and his group of young warriors battled the visiting Minden Tide for an evening of football action that was a close fight between the two teams to the very end. When the horn sounded to signal the end of regulation game time, the home team and the visitors were tied at 27 all. After two rounds of over time, the 4A Minden Tide was able to overcome the strong defense of the 2A Mansfield Wolverines and the final score was Minden 34, Mansfield 33.

Photos by Mickey Morgan

Photos by Cynthia Hendrickson

North DeSoto traveled to Hoover, Alabama for a National 7 on 7 tournament. They faced teams from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, and Kentucky.