Friday, Nov. 28, 2008

Mansfield believes

By MILENKO MARTINOVICH

For the News-Mirror

Mansfield’s recipe for success in the playoffs has been simple: Depend on a sturdy defense and a heavy load of tailback Stepfan Taylor.

Both put on quite a show Nov. 21. Taylor rushed for a game-high 267 yards and four touchdowns, and the Tigers defense held its playoff opponent scoreless in the second half for the second consecutive week as Mansfield defeated El Paso Montwood 31-21 in a UIL Class 5A Division II Region I area-round playoff at Grande Communications Stadium.

Mansfield (8-4), which hadn’t won a playoff game in school history before this season, advances to the regional semifinals to play Cedar Hill. That game will be played at Texas Stadium at noon on Saturday.

"People just don’t believe in us," senior linebacker Winston Dossman said. "We’re for real."

After falling behind 21-10 late in the second quarter, Mansfield scored 21 unanswered points and held Montwood (8-4) scoreless the final 25 minutes of the game.

"Our defense didn’t play very good in the first half," Mansfield coach Jeff Hulme said. "But they buckled down and played physical football."

Mansfield’s defense, which shut out No. 3 state-ranked Abilene in the second half of last week’s bi-district victory, allowed 22 total yards of offense in the second half. Montwood running back Domingo Torres, who had 72 rushing yards at halftime, finished with 76. Quarterback Louie Tinoco, who had 154 passing yards at halftime, finished with 171 and completed only three passes in the second half.

Taylor took care of the rest, combining some dazzling runs for big gains with power running for key first downs. Taylor carried 28 times in the second half and on 18 of Mansfield’s 20 fourth-quarter plays save for a couple of kneel-downs to end the game. He had touchdown runs of 21, 4, 39 and 14 yards.

"This is really special," Taylor said. "I thought last week was special beating Abilene. We’re blessed. We want to keep this going."