Morton Ranch Mavericks vs. Conroe Tigers - September 4, 2026

     On Friday, September 4, 2026, the Morton Ranch High School Mavericks traveled to Conroe to face the Conroe High School Tigers.

    Before we get to this game, I first need to give credit where credit is due for last week's win. Last week the Mavericks hosted the Cy-Creek cougars and came away with a 0-22 victory. The players who deserve attaboys for that win include: Clark, R. Nichols, H. Reed, T. Robinson, #2, C. Brown, #16, #6,  #22, T. Williams, E. Butler, & #19. It should be known that the only source I have found listing jersey numbers and names for this year's roster is on MaxPreps.com. This has NOT been fully updated. If anyone is reading this who has a better roster or knows of where I can find one, will you please send it to me? I would be very grateful.

    There were plenty of problems in the game on 8/29/2026. Some were fixed before 9/4/26, others were not.

    I have a very important message for the play callers for the Mavericks. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE don't fall victim to what I call Van Meter disease, named for Coach Steve Van Meter who was a head coach when I started a reporting on what I was seeing on the field each week. If you haven't been reading my blog log enough to know what Van Meter Disease is, please look up Einstein's definition of insanity. Coach Van Meter, there is no disrespect meant. If you have ever read my blogs from when you were coaching, you'll know why I named this common problem after you.

    Now, on to the game in Conroe. Unlike some people who were running their mouths before this game, I had actually done a small amount of scouting other than looking at the previous week's score. I knew that Conroe was not going to be a night off for the Mavericks because I knew that their previous loss (bbb loss) was at the hands of C.E. King High School.

    That said, the game started worse than I imagined; and while there were some moments of excitement for the Mavericks, the overall theme of the game is that there is a lot of work to do. First, let me say that I don't think I've ever seen a game where the amount of time each offense is on the field had such a mismatch with the score. I haven't seen the official numbers, but I wouldn't be surprised if during the first half, the Mavericks' offense spent 3x as much time on the field as the Tiger's offense, yet the score was decidedly lopsided in favor of the Tigers. It didn't take long to realize that the Tigers knew exactly what was in the Mavericks' playbook and how each play looked on the field. The coaches and players did their homework and it showed. The Mavericks simply were not ready to play a team like Conroe.

    Despite the way the game turned out. there are some players who deserve attaboys. The first attaboy is actually going to the spirit organizations and the band parents/volunteers. The band's equipment truck broke down on the way to Conroe. The Belles' director had the school song on her phone and went up into the press box to play it before the game when the band would have usually played. Those in charge of the truck were able to get the band's instruments and equipment to the stadium just as the 2nd quarter was starting. The band members whose instruments were on the truck, went straight from the truck to the warm-up area to prepare for halftime. In order to give the Maverick Band more time, Conroe went first during halftime. The Maverick Band did a great job at half time and did their best to help the team from the stands during the second half of the game. The Maverick players who earned attaboys are: #2, T. Robinson, #16, #22, C. Brown, C. Williams, H. Reed, T. Eli, #19, #1, R. Nichols, and #6.

    Next week, the Mavericks (0-0, 1-1), will open district play against the Cinco Ranch Cougars. Kickoff will be on Friday, September 11, 2026, at 7:30pm at Legacy Stadium in Katy. The Mavericks will be the visitor. Be there or be square.

Go Mavericks!

Disclaimer: My football education is from attending high school football games for 45+ years 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.    

Seven Lakes Spartans vs. Morton Ranch Mavericks - November 6, 2025

     On Thursday, November 6, 2025, the Mortan Ranch Mavericks hosted the Seven Lakes Spartans for the last regular season game of the 2025 season. Kick off was in Legacy Stadium at 6:30pm. For these 2 teams, it was mathematically impossible for either team to make the playoffs. We all knew before the game began that this was for pride.

    I think the best description of this game for Maverick fans would be 47 minutes of frustration with sparks of happiness followed by 1 minute of exhilaration mixed with nervousness and joy. Throughout the game, there were multiple times that I wanted to go to the press box and beg the play callers not to run Brown up the middle again. He ran up the middle a lot. Mr. Brown, I have no doubt that you were exhausted on Friday, and probably more than a little sore, but you were a solid work horse all night long and deserve major kudos.

    For the Mavericks, they used 2 quarterbacks, neither of whom had played quarterback on the varsity team this season. I watched both warm up and waited to see who would start. Both quarterbacks played during the game and both did well, but in different ways. It's good to see that there are players who are able to diversify and play different positions.

    Everyone knows that my soapbox issue is the game officials and this week they gave me plenty to write about. I have previously commented that Coach Cavallo appears calm on the sidelines during the games. During this game, he was obviously upset, and he had every right to be. Seeing him press his case with the officials impressed how wrong they were. Everyone in the stadium saw the replay and knew that the officials were wrong. It happened more than once and one of those times resulted in points that were earned not being put up on the scoreboard.  I don't know what TASO and the UIL can do other than increasing the number of mystery evaluators, but they need to do something. Officials should not be deciding who wins and who loses a game.

Box Score
	1st Q	2nd Q	3rd Q	4th Q	Final
Seven Lakes Spartans	3	6	0	0	9
Morton Ranch Mavericks	0	7	0	3	10

    Quite honestly, if the officials had been playing it fair, the score would have been tied at the end of the first half. Just saying,

Final district 19-6A Standings are

District 19-6A Football Standings
AB		District		Overall		District		Overall
	Team	Wins	Losses	Wins	Losses	Points For	Points Allowed	Points For	Points Allowed
1	Katy Tigers	8	0	8	2	411	108	465	194
2	Cinco Ranch Cougars	7	1	7	3	280	193	322	216
3	Jordan Warriors	6	2	7	3	282	157	339	184
4	Paetow Panthers	4	4	5	5	290	291	298	252
5	Tompkins Falcons	4	4	5	5	287	205	354	353
6	Mayde Creek Rams	3	5	4	6	233	259	311	303
7	Morton Ranch Mavericks	2	6	3	7	116	349	171	368
8	Seven Lakes Spartans	2	6	3	7	111	240	114	285
9	Taylor Mustangs	0	8	0	10	153	357	194	398

    Congrats to Katy for winning the district championship and being undefeated in district. And congratulations to Katy, Cinco Ranch Jordan, & Paetow for making the playoffs.

    Several players deserve attaboys for their efforts Thursday night. If you see any other these players, be sure to give them a pat on the back. They earned it This week's attaboys go to C. Brown, S. Fontenettte, E. Rios, M. Kinlaw, T. Lazar, R. Nichols, L. Hernandez, H. Reed, C . Rozales, J. Wilson, G. Obikili, Daniels, M. Washington, D. Parker, T. Williams, T. Alexander, #92,  & T. Robinson.

    

    Congrats to all of the seniors who have played their final high school football game. I hope that you are able to pass on your knowledge to the younger players before you graduate and that you are able to come back for a game of two after this year. I hope that those who want to play in college are able to land somewhere where you can be successful and that all of you find success in all of your endeavors. 

    Go Mavericks!

Until next season, . . .   

Disclaimer: My football education is from attending high school football games for 45+ years 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.

Morton Ranch Mavericks vs. Cinco Ranch Cougars - October 30, 2025

     On Thursday, October 30, 2025, the Cougars of Cinco Ranch High School hosted the Morton Ranch High School Marvericks at Legacy Stadium. Kick off was at 6:30pm.

    Even though it was 9 years ago, and I wouldn't be surprised if not a single person from that 2016 season is still at Cinco Ranch High School, my opinion of that program will forever be colored by the events of November 27, 2016.  If you don't know what happened at NRG Stadium that day, you can read my blog from that game here, https://brownfall.blogspot.com/2016/11/friendswood-mustangs-vs-cinco-ranch.html  One thing I will say in Cinco Ranch's favor is that I did not see that type of behavior from anyone at Legacy Stadium on Thursday evening.

    The first few plays of this game led many to believe that it would be a long night for those supporting the purple, black, and white. And while the game did not turn out in our favor, the team did improve throughout the game. I was also impressed with the quarterback's improvement. Mr. Williams has started multiple games this year (I think this was his 4th start), and has improved dramatically since his first game. Good job Mr. Williams and to those who have worked with him. Another player who is showing marked improvement from his first game is another Williams. While his hands are not always reliable, he is still willing to get out there and try. His coaches have enough confidence in him to throw to him even in double coverage. Sometimes he catches the pass, sometimes he doesn't, but he is improved and he and his coaches and mentors deserve some kudos. Lastly, Mr. Brown's situational awareness was on full display Thursday evening. There was one play in particular that I would really like to see again. When I think I see something other than what the referees are saying happened, I look at the coaches on the sidelines to see if they are upset with the ref's call. When they aren't I assume that I saw it wrong. However, Coach Cavalla and his staff control their emotions well enough that it's hard to tell from the bleachers if they disagree with a call or not.  On this one particular play in the first quarter, Mr. Brown was running up the middle when he was tackled. From where I was sitting, it appeared that he rolled over the defenders who had their backs on the ground, put his feet to the turf and kept running, having never touched the ground. When Mr. Brown's feet hit the turf the official blew the play dead. From the stands, it certainly looked like the play was still live when the official ended it.

Box Score
	1st Q	2nd Q	3rd Q	4th Q	Final
Morton Ranch Mavericks	0	0	0	14	14
Cinco Ranch Cougars	14	14	14	10	52

    Mr. Williams, Mr. Williams, & Mr. Brown are not the only players who deserve attaboys after Thursday night's game. If you see any of these players this week, please give them a pat on the back - they earned it. This week's attaboys go to C. Rozales, C. Williams, C. Brown, E. Butler, S. Fontenette, G. Obikili, L. Hernandez, M. Washington, J. Wilson, B. Simms, #80, T. Robinson, M. Kinlaw, #82, K. Murray, E. Rios, C. Williams, T. Williams, T. Williams, D. Parker, &  H. Reed

    There is one game left in the regular season for the 2025 Texas High School football season. As of today the District 19-6A standings are

AB		District		Overall		District		Overall
	Team	Wins	Losses	Wins	Losses	Points For	Points Allowed	Points For	Points Allowed
1	Katy Tigers	7	0	7	2	357	101	411	187
2	Cinco Ranch Cougars	7	1	7	3	280	193	322	216
3	Jordan Warriorsl	5	2	6	3	237	136	294	163
4	Paetow Panthers	4	3	5	4	269	246	298	252
5	Tompkins Falcons	3	4	4	5	235	193	281	287
6	Mayde Creek Rams	3	4	4	5	226	205	304	249
7	Seven Lakes Spartans	2	5	3	6	102	230	114	275
8	Morton Ranch Mavericks	1	6	2	7	106	340	161	359
9	Taylor Mustangs	0	7	0	9	141	305	182	346

    The last game of the season for Morton Ranch is this coming week against the Seven Lakes Spartans. The Spartans will be coming into the game riding a huge high after their win against Mayde Creek (I triple checked that score just to make sure I was reading it right). It is mathematically impossible for either team to make the playoffs, so this game will be for pride - school pride, team pride, and individual pride. If I were coaching the Mavericks this week, I would focus on making sure that the team finishes out the season on a high note. I would focus on tackling technique (some of the defensive players could be teaching this while others should be learning from them). I would focus on accountability (me and we - do your part correctly so we succeed). I would have the all of the receivers catching pass after pass after pass. Once again I would encourage them to carry around a football like a newborn baby, protecting it and never letting it fall. I would also encourage the quarterback to watch the play clock a little better - there were way too many delay of game penalties. Speaking of penalties, I don't think I've ever seen a false start called on the center before. 

    The final game of the season will be on Thursday, November 6 at Legacy Stadium. Morton Ranch will be the home team and will celebrate senior night for the fine arts students (Maverick Band and Belles) before the game. Kick off be at 6:30pm. Be there or be square.

Go Mavericks!

Disclaimer: My football education is from attending high school football games for 45+ years 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.