On Thursday, October 22, 2026, the Morton Ranch High School Mavericks hosted the Mayde Creek High School Rams at Legacy Stadium. Kick off was at 6:30pm. This is considered a rivalry game, but what I saw Thursday night didn't look like much of a rivalry.
First, please allow me to whine for a minute. I really dislike Thursday night varity football games. I grew up in a one high school town. I honestly cannot remember ever going to a Thursday night football game when I was growing up. The only Saturday games I remember were playoff games at the Astrodome. Currently, I live in a one high school town. That high school does not host varstiy games on Thursdays. I really don't think I'd ever been to a Thursday night game before about 2015. I understand why Katy ISD has varsity games on Thursdays. When you have 10 high schools playing varsity football, 2 district stadiums, and host band contests on Saturdays, including UIL marching contests, that means Thursday games. But that doesn't mean that I have to like them. And I really do feel bad for the students who have to go to school after playing a game on Thursday night. I wish we could get back to how it used to be - Tuesday was 7th grade football, Wednesday was for 8th graders, Thursday was freshman and JV, Varsity always had Friday night lights, Saturday was for college, Sunday was the NFL and finally Monday was Monday Night Football.
Now, to the game. If you've been reading my blog for a while now, you know that I've been watching high school football since the 1970s. Over that time, I've followed different teams as I've moved around or as life has changed. In all those years, I can't think of a time when a head football coach has decided to try a different offensive scheme each week, especially when playing games where winning would put them in the playoff conversation. That seems like the decisions of a coach who has already given up on this season and is trying out new things for a future season. I could understand that decision if the team were already out of the playoffs, but this started with district play. I will readily admit that my football vocabulary isn't what it should be. I don't know the name of the offensive schemes that have been tried. What I do know is that they are all different. I was impressed with the discipline and synchronization of the offense this week as they got set. It was obvious that they have practiced that scheme. But why? Morton Ranch should have beaten Taylor, but shot themselves in the foot. Morton Ranch should have beaten Mayde Creek, as evidenced by how things went when they abandoned the new scheme. By then, it was too late to change the game's outcome. I wasn't at the game between Morton Ranch and Paetow, but I've heard from more than one person who was that Morton Ranch should have won that game too. And I would't be a good person if I didn't thank the young man who pointed out to me that each week was a different offense, I didn't catch his name, but after I thought about it, I realized he was right and I need to give credit where credit is due.
All of that said, I want to make it clear that I believe that the players did exactly what was asked of them. This loss, as well as the others, falls squarely on the shoulders of the coach(es) who make the decisions and play calls, NOT on the players.
Even so, the team came out of the locker room looking like they didn't want to win. The first quarter didn't look like anyone's best effort. During the second quarter, the defense woke up first, followed shortly by the offense. IF that was a result of their energy drinks finally kicking in, those energy drinks should be eliminated from their pregame ritual. They obviously aren't working and they are bad for you. The pregame ritual should include being the first on the field and the last off the field for warm ups. They should include going through things that each player would be expected to do in a game, and running through game scenarios. The locker room ritual should include whatever works to get the players hyped up and beleiving in themselves and their ability to win.
Because the players did what was asked of them, there are several attaboys due this week. This week's attaboys go to Finney, #0 (sorry, I don't know your name), Nichols, Carolina, Brown, O'Daniels, Robinson, Jordan, Murray, Gomez, T. Williams, and Charles. If your name is on this list, please give yourself a well deserved pat on the back.
Something else I've seen several times, and commented on before but need to do so again, is Cameron Brown's ability to keep his knees and elbows off the turf. I've seen him "tackled" many times where he technically never went down. The refs always blow the whistle to end the play and Brown gets rightfully upset. I genuinely hope that he gets to play at a level where they have replay so that his talent at staying off the turf is rewarded.
For next week, I hope that whatever offensive scheme that the coach(es) decide to try includes protecting the QB. That has been seriously lacking. I also made a note during the second quarter that some of the players need football IQ lessons. I don't remember exactly what prompted me to say that, but it could include staying in bounds when they should be trying to get out, running out of bounds when they should be trying to stay in bounds, knowing where the down markers are and how much time is on the clock, clock management, and other things that lead to a smartly played game.
Below is the box score for this game.
| Box Score | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | FINAL |
| Mayde Creek Rams | 14 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 40 |
| Morton Ranch Mavericks | 0 | 6 | 6 | 14 | 26 |
At this point, there is no path to the playoffs for the Mavericks. That is a real shame. This team had the right tools to make the playoff for the first time since 2022. Instead, these players will have 2 more games before turning in their equipment and staring offseason workouts, or moving on to their next sport. Again, I want to make sure that I make it clear, players who follow their coaches directions should don't be blamed for the outcome of the game or season.
Next up for the Mavericks is the last Thursday game of the season (Thank you, God). This game will be played on Thursday, October 29, 2026 against the Thompkins High School Falcons. Kick off will be at 6:30pm in Legacy Stadium.
Be there, be loud, and Go Mavericks!
PS. These thoughts, observations, and critiques are mine and mine alone.
Disclaimer: My football education is from attending high school football games since 1978 and sitting between my dad and my grandpa for the first 12 of those years. I continue to learn more about the game and strategies every week. My vocabulary may be lacking, but I know what I see and describe it as best I can.
