High school football season offers new look for Mansfield ISD

By Bob Kowalski

Mansfield Record

As Mansfield ISD’s varsity football teams kick off their seasons, change is as prevalent off the field as on it. The University Interscholastic League drastically adjusted the sports calendar because of the coronavirus pandemic, putting a new look on football and other sports.

The UIL allowed smaller schools (Class 1A through 4A) to begin their schedules the last week of August, but limited 5A and 6A schools – meaning all five of Mansfield ISD’s teams --- to a late September start. Three of those squads open their seasons tonight under new formats.

For fans planning to attend games, tickets must be bought online through the MISD at www.ticketspickets.com. No tickets will be sold on-site, and social distancing will be observed throughout the district’s two stadiums. All concession foods will be pre-packaged.

Summit, which was 7-4 in 2019 while reaching the Class 6A playoffs, meets Keller at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at R.L. Anderson Stadium, 1016 Magnolia St. in Mansfield. Kickoff is earlier than in years past. The Jaguars drop to Class 5A this year, matching up in District 4-5A with Legacy and Midlothian, among others.

Legacy (4-7 and bi-district participant in 2019) plays host to Byron Nelson at 7 p.m. Friday at Vernon Newsom Stadium, 3700 E. Broad St. in Mansfield.

Mansfield High (4-6 in 2019) travels to the Texas Rangers’ new home, Globe Life Field, to meet Arlington High at 7 p.m. Friday. The Tigers share District 11-5A with Lake Ridge (5-5 last season) as well as powerhouses Cedar Hill, DeSoto and Duncanville.

Timberview (6-5 in reaching the playoffs in 2019) toppled Lake Ridge 28-14 Thursday in the season opener at Newsom Stadium.

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