6A

Team Preview: Mansfield Tigers

by
Adam Ogburn
August 1

Mansfield Tigers

Head Coach: Greg George (5^th Season)

Last Season: 7-4; 4-3 in district (Lost to Harker Heights in bi-district)

Mansfield Key Players and Storylines

*Note: Mansfield’s individual stats are only from the regular season

The Tigers had a hugely successful year last season, securing their first playoff berth since 2017. However, head coach Greg George believes last year’s team didn’t get to show its full potential as seven starters were out in its playoff game against Harker Heights.

This year, the Tigers’ success will likely hinge on how far their offense can carry them. While seven starters are back on that side of the ball, just one starter returns on defense. George said as a whole, the defense lost 14 key players from last season’s team.

Luckily for them, that offense has the district’s leading rusher from a year ago in James Johnson (1,339 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns). Not only is the ground game in good shape, but junior receiver Jacobe Hayes (561 receiving yards and seven touchdowns) returns after leading the Tigers in receptions and receiving yards as well. Their experience will be crucial as Mansfield settles in a new quarterback.

On the offensive line, Connor Hardin was a second team all-district selection in 2022.

Defensively, the defensive line will be virtually a total rebuild as the Tigers must replace eight significant contributors. The secondary appears to be in the best possible spot as Chibu Ojirika(22 tackles) is back while George is expecting fellow senior TJ Mitchell to take on a larger role this year. At linebacker, Jerod Hyde is another player who will be tasked with helping fill the large void left by Mansfield’s graduating seniors.

George said his players still have a sour taste in their mouth from how last season ended. He’s hopeful an offense that was ranked third-best in the district a year ago can carry the load early on while the defense settles in as Mansfield looks to make it back to the playoffs for the second-straight season.