James Jackson/MDN The Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood Mavericks found their offensive firepower and utilized it to the max to claim their first win of the season over the TGU Titans on Friday night.

Despite the nights turning colder with every passing week of the season, the gridiron action stayed red-hot under the Friday night lights as Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood clashed with the TGU Titans for the first time since 2020 in a battle for each team’s first win of the year.

For the Region 7 adversaries, the prize for Friday night’s winner held even more prestige than just their first overall win of the season. Perhaps more importantly, it would represent the first regional win for the victor as well.

Having already played two games on the road and at home, the TGU Titans (0-4 overall, 0-2 Region 7) were aware that getting more production out of their defense was imperative in securing a win Friday night.

After giving up over 60 points in contests against Surrey, Westhope/Newburg/Glenburn, and St. John, the Titans looked to eliminate the possibility of it happening once again as they set their sights on victory.

Still working to solidify their defense, the Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood Mavericks (0-1 Region 7, 0-3 overall) have drastically landed on the wrong side of the scoring column to start the new season.

Just three games into the schedule, they have allowed 152 total combined points in losses to Lewis & Clark, Divide County, and St. John, or an average of just over 50 points per game.

Across 13 head-to-head matchups, TGU holds a slight historical edge in victories over MLS, accruing 8 wins for a .615 winning percentage over the years.

Defying the blustery weather, fans of both teams came out in droves to witness one of the Region 7 foes lay claim to their inaugural win of the new year on MLS’ homecoming night.

Taking on the demeanor of a whole new team, it only took the opening play of the first drive for the Mavericks to light up the scoreboard, as freshman quarterback Drayson Johnson connected with senior wide receiver Cordel Sjokvist for a 51-yard TD reception to put MLS up 6-0 after a failed 2-point conversion.

Also taking on a surprisingly different look that would hold throughout the entirety of the game was the MLS defense, putting aside early season difficulties to collect a number of key stops, deflections, knockdowns, and tackles for all four quarters.

Nearing the end of the first quarter, TGU would take a ground-centric drive down to the goal line, where junior quarterback Ty Schmitt would punch in a 1-yard QB keeper between the tackles at the 1:46 mark to give TGU an 8-6 lead after a successful 2-point conversion.

Though the score would hold until the brink of halftime, a determined Mavericks offense would capitalize on one last opportunity, regaining the lead with just 52 seconds left in the second quarter after another Johnson-to-Sjokvist connection culminated in a 12-yard TD reception to push MLS ahead 14-8.

With the half heading to a close, TGU would nearly turn a bobbled kickoff disaster into a miracle return, yet a terrific open-field tackle by the Mavericks’ special teams unit would prevent another score by the Titans.

Entering the second half, the Mavericks’ offense would unquestionably put together their best football of the season, ultimately dominating an overwhelmed TGU defense.

Junior wide receiver Riley Morlock would lead the charge for MLS, notching two touchdowns in highlight-reel fashion.

Morlock’s first score would come as the result of a Devin Hester-like 74-yard punt return, followed by a 53-yard rushing touchdown with 1:24 left in the third quarter that would extend the MLS lead to 30-8.

Not to be left out of the scoring explosion for the Mavericks were sophomore running back Jaren Mattern and junior fullback Cris Peppard, whose respective touchdowns would ultimately stretch the MLS advantage to its final resting place.

Battering the Titans’ defensive unit, Mattern orchestrated a rush up the middle that would end in a 6-yard TD, while Peppard contributed a shifty 52-yard rushing TD with 3:45 left in the fourth quarter.

In spite of the contest’s foreseeable outcome, TGU would nevertheless put their fighting spirit on display, as Schmitt would put TGU on the board one last time on a 3-yard QB keeper to bring the final score to 42-16 and cementing MLS’s first overall and Region 7 win of the season.

Week 6 of the schedule will see both teams host home games against opponents from outside of Region 7, as TGU welcomes Lewis & Clark to Towner and MLS takes to the field against Alexander High School.