LANCASTER, Texas — In a district as stacked with talented teams from top to bottom in the UIL’s 10-5A, there are few days off.
Friday night’s matchup between the Lancaster and the Mansfield Legacy High Schools at Beverley D. Humphrey Stadium, the Broncos’ 49-28 win may have been a prime example of the district’s offensive power.
Though Lancaster found success behind running back Devante Lacy, who scored all three of the Tigers offensive touchdowns. With 8:43 left in the first quarter, Lacy punched it in for a Tiger’s touchdown, but it wasn’t long before Legacy would take control of the game.
Quarterback Jalen Catalon, who started at quarterback for only the second time this season, answered Lacy’s score by hitting Ife Adeyi in stride for a 34-yard touchdown pass and tied the game at seven. Catalon threw for 124 yards and three touchdowns on only 6 for 7 passing (86 percent). He also rushed for 156 yards and another touchdown on 11 carries.
Jalen Catalon, in only his second start at quarterback, completed 85 percent of his passes for 124 yards and three touchdowns against Lancaster at Beverley D. Humphrey Tiger Stadium. He also rushed for more than 150 yards and another score (Lauren Landes/Texas HS Football).
After Legacy’s defense forced a Lancaster three and out, Catalon did it again — this time hitting Nathan Rooney to take the 14-7 lead to end the first quarter. Grant Johnson’s 2-yard rumble that capped an 8-play, 63-yard drive nearly dealt the knockout blow.
Johnson was Mansfield Legacy’s second 100-yard rusher of the night, gaining 123 and scoring a touchdown on 20 carries.
Mansfield Legacy used the touchdowns to spark a 21-point swing that held Lancaster scoreless until Lacy’s second touchdown before halftime.
And seconds into the third quarter, the second half looked a lot like the first — especially after Jared Hopper’s 91-yard kick return.
Lancaster staged a rally, using a six-play drive to sent Lacy into the end zone for his third touchdown of the game from the 8-yard line and stuffing Catalon and Johnson at the line of scrimmage on back-to-back plays and forcing a punt.
Lancaster rallied behind running back sophomore running back Tre Bradford (2) — as well as Devante Lacy’s three touchdowns (Lauren Landes/Texas HS Football).
Legacy began driving down the field but a miscommunication caused a fumble and defensive back Jordan Carr scooped it up and returned it 21 yards for Lancaster’s final touchdown of the game.
Though Catalon’s third-quarter touchdown run, did damage, Lancaster’s penalties — 12 for 91 yards through three quarters — may have stifled the flames of a comeback more than Mansfield Legacy’s instant offense.
Early in the fourth, Lancaster quarterback Trevor Hatton escaped a furious rush and fired a 17-yard laser toward the end zone, and set off a celebration, but an illegal man downfield penalty wiped away the score. A missed field goal surrendered any chance of whittling the deficit.
Mansfield Legacy’s victory handed Lancaster its second district loss of the season, moving the Tigers to 3-2 overall, 0-2 in district play. Legacy improved to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the district and is scheduled to face Mansfield Timberview High School next week.
Lancaster will host Mansfield Summit High School, hoping to rebuild following the Tigers’ loss.
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