Mansfield’s big plays clinch win over Legacy

By Bob Kowalski

Mansfield Record

Mansfield sealed its 28-10 victory over Legacy with big plays in the second half – on defense and on offense – Friday night at Vernon Newsom Stadium.

The Tigers (4-4, 3-1 District 3-6A) held a 14-10 lead in the first minute of the fourth quarter, with the Broncos (4-4, 2-2) marching. Legacy had moved the ball from its own 27-yard line to Mansfield’s 28, when Mansfield linebacker Andrew McKinney tipped a pass and caught it, then raced 52 yards to the end zone to build the lead to 21-10.

The next time Mansfield’s offense got the ball, a 27-yard run by quarterback Alex Luke moved the Tigers into Broncos territory, then a 40-yard touchdown sprint by Knowledge Bluitt put Mansfield in front, 28-10, with just over 6 minutes left in the game.

The Tigers took a 7-0 lead on the game’s first possession when Raymond Weaver scored from 6 yards out. He put the Tigers in good field position on the second play of the game by running for 31 yards.

Legacy’s first possession lasted 14 plays, leading to a 31-yard field goal by Jeremiah Kieffer. Workhouse running back J-Uan Harrison Jr. carried six times for 29 yards on the drive, and caught two passes from quarterback Jake Jenkins for 11 more yards.

Mansfield padded the lead with just over a minute gone in the second quarter when Luke entered the game and rushed up the middle for a 10-yard touchdown and 14-3 lead.

On an 11-play drive, Legacy handed the ball to Harrison eight times. A pass from Jenkins to D’Andre Thomas brought the Broncos within one score again. Thomas took the pass over the middle, dodged tacklers and patiently followed his downfield blockers before cruising up the sideline for a touchdown that cut Mansfield’s lead to 14-10 with 3:13 left in the third quarter.

The Legacy defense held, forcing a three-and-out to set up a drive that started on its own 27-yard line. The Broncos moved into Mansfield territory, boosted by a 19-yard pass-and-catch from Jenkins to Kingston James, and a 27-yard rush by Harrison. But McKinney’s interception and return ended that drive.

In other games involving Mansfield ISD schools Friday, Summit (5-2, 4-1 3-5AII) fell to Argyle, 25-20; Lake Ridge (5-2, 2-2 3-6A) defeated Crowley, 42-28; and Timberview (5-3, 4-1 3-5AII) topped Burleson, 28-13.

Next week, Lake Ridge hosts Weatherford at Newsom Stadium on Thursday, Summit tackles Colleyville Heritage at R.L. Anderson on Friday, Legacy celebrates homecoming against Crowley at Newsom Stadium on Friday and Timberview heads to Grapevine on Friday. Mansfield has the week off.

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