By Nolan Ruth
X – @RealNolanRuth
CROWLEY— With district play in full swing, and playoff brackets taking shape, every game matters from this point onward. That is especially the case in district 3-6A as every playoff spot is up for grabs. With both the Mansfield Tigers and Crowley Eagles coming off of upset losses, a win was crucial for either side to keep postseason dreams alive.
After a defensive first half, and both teams trading blows in the third quarter, it was the Mansfield defense that stepped up and sealed the win with under two minutes to go. After a failed field goal attempt, the Tigers got two interception returns for touchdowns within three plays from scrimmage to edge the Eagles 28-14.
Mykah Lankford led the way offensively for the Tigers, completing 9 of 17 passes for 177 yards and both offensive touchdowns.
After a very defensive start, including Mansfield being turned away on downs from the Crowley four yard line, Lankford finally broke the scoreless tie with a 38-yard pass to Zion Robinson on the deep fade.
Neither team scored again in the first half, and Mansfield took a 7-0 lead into the break after returning the favor by stopping the Eagles on downs at the eight yard line.
Crowley finally found momentum and got on the scoreboard with a short fade pass from Kendrick Kennedy to Antayvious Ellis, tying the game at seven on the opening drive of the second half. Kennedy finished the night 14 of 29 for 190 yards and a touchdown.
The Tigers had a quick response when Lankford deked the defense on the play-action and lofted a pass over the middle to Preston Jackson from 62 yards out to reclaim the lead just 24 seconds after relinquishing it.
Just before the third quarter could come to a close, the Eagles tied it up again when Kenyen Cotton broke free from the defense and raced 43 yards to paydirt, making the score 14-14.
Mansfield had control late in the fourth quarter when the game reached the two-minute timeout. Facing a fourth down, head coach Greg George opted to send his field goal unit out. However, a bad snap prevented the kick from getting away and Crowley took over.
The Eagles tried to pass over the middle, but Collin Caloia was there for the interception. The former junior high fullback then ran through any resistance and scored on a 49-yard pick-six to give the Tigers a late lead.
Just two plays from scrimmage later, Chime Ojirika perfectly read the curl-route, picked off the pass and raced 28 yards to seal the victory.
Mansfield improves to 3-4 with the win, with a 2-1 district record to inch closer to postseason play. They will play host to Mansfield ISD rival Legacy next Friday at Newsom Stadium.
On the other side, Crowley drops to 2-5, 1-2 in district, and will be fighting for its playoff lives from this point on. They will be back at home next week against Mansfield Lake Ridge.
