By Randee Schmitt
In the blink of an eye, players rush onto the field as a fight breaks out with a minute left in the first half. Between a lost helmet and protective teammates, the Mavericks game against the Sharyland Rattlers just became interesting.
“There was a fight,” senior running back Marquis Warford, said. “My helmet got ripped off and when I was down on the ground I got kicked in the face by a Sharyland player. So, my teammates and I reacted. Next thing you know, there was a fight on the field.”
Ten minutes passed. Finally, the refs agreed on the appropriate calls and penalties to announce, and the game continued. The Mavs led at half time 23-6. Two plays into the second half, Warford came back with a vengeance, scoring a 75-yard touchdown. The remainder of the game a reflection of the first half, the final score was 40-13 with the Mighty Mavericks winning against the previously undefeated Rattlers.
“You always expect the best out of your opponent when you get into the playoffs, and given the fact that [Sharyland] were undefeated, we thought it would be a closer game than what it was,” head coach Jim Streety said.
Despite the game occurring in Corpus Christi, fans faithfully followed their Mavericks to support their efforts in this past game. They were not let down by the outcome.
“I expected us to win,” sophomore Patryck Banks, said. “Our O-line had practiced hard all week. Offense practicing means good blocking, and good blocking means touchdowns.”
The Mavericks are scheduled to play at the Alamodome Oct. 8 at noon against the O’Connor Panthers. Recalling that last year the Mavs advanced further, fans like Banks are faithful their team can advance because of their confidence and drive.
“This time we’re a little more familiar with the team we’re facing so there’s not so much of the unknown,” Streety said. “[O’Connor] is a good team and reminds me of us. I think it’ll be a real battle for us, but I’m excited about the way we’re playing right now. I think if we play our best we certainly have a good chance this week.”