Morton Ranch Mavericks at James E. Taylor Mustangs - October 16, 2026

      On Friday, October 26, 2026, the James E. Taylor Mustangs hosted the Morton Ranch Mavericks at Rhodes Stadium. Kick off was at 7pm. For Morton Ranch, this was their only Friday football game in October for 2026. Their 4 other October games are on Thursdays.

     Those who remember last year’s meeting between these two teams were looking forward to this year’s match up and if they only watched the first half, they were not disappointed. Last year, the Mavericks played so well against the Mustangs that they secured their first district win. This year, the Mavericks were leading at halftime.  Unfortunately for the Mavericks and their fans, the team that went into the locker room at halftime was not the same team that came back out. The team that started the game was fired up and ready to play. The team that came out after halftime looked like they just got told that their puppy got out and they really needed to get home and go look for it.  

     This game’s officiating was mostly good, but there were a couple of big mistakes that could have changed the final score. Shortly before halftime, there was a blocked kick. Immediately there was a flag on thr ground behind the defense. Before the officials could discuss that flag, a fight broke out. One player was penalized and another ejected.  The officials seemed to talk for quite a while, but they never addressed the flag that was thrown before the fight. One of the Mavericks’ assistant coaches noticed, but no one else seemed to. We never did hear why that flag was thrown and no penalty was ever enforced. Earlier in the game, a Mustang hit the plant leg of the Mavericks’ punter causing him to fall. Coach Cavallo tried to press his case with an official for quite a while to no avail. There were plenty of other opportunities for the officials to get a call right, and they occasionally did, but I do question some of their no calls. One thing I wish officials truly understood is that not enforcing the rules fairly doesn’t help anyone. I know lots of them think that they are helping an underdog or disadvantaged team. In reality, they are enforcing bad habits and not teaching kids how to play proper football.

     This paragraph is specifically for the coaches and the coaches alone. This is not the NFL. The team who ends the season with the worst record does not get the first draft pick. If you want to win, you need to spend less time in the locker room and more time on the field. You should be the first team out to start warmups and the last team in the locker room to end warmups. Your players should be behind the end zone stretching and getting warm while the home team’s band is on the field. You should call the best play for the position that you’re in and when possible, you should give your QB the freedom to make choices as a play unfolds. Not doing these things tells your players and your fans that you’re not in it to win it.

     This applies to players and coaches alike - don’t let the peanut gallery get into your head. I heard plenty of people in the stands at this game screaming at the coaches. Some of them obviously don’t know as much about football in general and the Mavericks specifically as they think that they do. Coaches, remember that you are the professionals. Everyone else is a passionate fan. If there are people in the stands who are also professionals and want you to win, they know how to contact you and share their oberservarions and insights instead of screaming it at you from the stands.

     Despite the disappointing number of points to scored in the second half, there are players who deserve attaboys for their performance during this game. I wasn’t taking notes during the game so I apologize if I miss anyone. Players earning attaboys are: Eli, C. Williams, C. Brown, Gomez, Carolina, & Rosalez. There were many other players who deserve attaboys or a pat on the back for their efforts during this game & I’m sorry I missed you. To whomever posted the full roster on MaxPreps, thank you!

Box Score	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	FINAL
Morton Ranch Mavericks	7	12	0	0	19
James E. Taylor Mustangs	0	14	10	14	38

     After this game, the standings for District 19-6A are

District 22-6A Football Standings
AB	Team	Wins	Losses	Points For	Points Allowed
1	Katy Tigers	6	0	311	54
2	Tompkins Falcons	4	1	195	117
3	Taylor Mustangs	4	2	158	136
4	Jordan Warriors	3	2	161	129
5	Cinco Ranch Cougars	3	2	146	176
6	Paetow Panthers	2	3	110	144
7	Mayde Creek Rams	1	4	100	180
8	Morton Ranch Mavericks	1	4	96	207
9	Seven Lakes Spartans	0	5	66	200

     The next game for the Mavericks will be Thursday, October, 22, 2026 against the Mayde Creek Rams. This is a rivalry game with a few twists for this year. Some of the players have attended both high schools. It will be interesting to see if this year’s games unfolds differently than last year. Kick off is at 6:30pm at Legacy Stadium with the Mavericks on the home side. If you’re going, be sure you don’t forget your stadium seat, jacket, or anything else in your vehicle. In 45+ years of attending high school football games, this is the only game I remember where they do not allow re-entry even if you buy another ticket. 

Be there or be 🟪. 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.