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.
