MANSFIELD – For a Mansfield program that started 0-4 this past season before winning six of seven games, the Wolverines wanted to begin this season on the right foot.
Mansfield’s record might say 0-1 after a wild 34-33 double-overtime loss against Class 4A Minden, but that’s not dampening the Wolverines’ spirit.
Mansfield fell behind by two touchdowns to the Crimson Tide before rallying to take a second half lead and falling in what may have been the craziest game in a wild Week 1.
“The kids played very, very hard, and I’m so proud of them,” said Mansfield coach Darrell Barbay, who led the program to its first playoff win since 2018. “Our kids kept rising to the challenge.
“We’ll focus on correcting our mistakes and getting better, but these kids played in a great high school football game. I hope we learn from the experience because I think we’re going to be a good team this year.”
While Mansfield may have to manage emotions stemming from a heartbreaking loss, Week 2 opponent Green Oaks aims to carry momentum from its 24-14 win against Woodlawn in the opener.
The Giants (1-0) visit Mansfield on Friday in a Week Two showdown with a chance to nearly match its three-win total from a season ago.
Stredtravious Brisker rushed for two touchdowns and Giants recovered five Woodlawn fumbles.
Green Oaks pulled off the Class 4A win one season after notching a Class 5A victory (Southwood) as a 2A program.
Bur Barbay is focused on his own team, one that showed a lot of grit after trailing by double digits in the first half.
Quarterback Sharmal Booker showcased his improvement as a passer by tossing a 70-yard strike to Kelvin Jackson and a 10-yard connection to Jakorion Greer, cutting Minden’s lead to 14-13.
“Minden made it very hard to run because of their size up front,” Barbay said. “So we did have to throw more than normal.”
Minden snatched a 21-13 lead early in the fourth quarter before Mansfield’s Terrell Pegues stole the show.
Pegues has big shoes to fill as the lead running back – he’s taking over for his brother Terrance, a state champion powerlifter in the 275-pound weight class.
But he occupied that space in Week 1, tying the game at 21-21 on a 58-yard double pass with 5:21 remaining before getting a pick-six two plays later to go up 27-21.
Minden marched 80 yards in response, but the Tide missed the extra point to allow overtime.
After both defenses held in the first overtime, Minden plunged in from 1-yard out before Mansfield’s Booker found the end zone on a fourth down in which officials discussed whether or not he scored.
Mansfield went for two and the win, but a false start and a failed reverse pass ended the comeback bid.
“We went for two and the win because we’d automatically have to start doing that in the next period, but Minden just made a great play,” Barbay said. “We had a chance to win in regulation but couldn’t get a stop.
“And then we didn’t move the ball in the first overtime. But I’m so proud the effort these kids gave, and we’ll build on it.”
Mansfield finished with 295 offensive yards.
PHOTO CREDIT: Mickey Morgan/Mic’s Pics