BEARCATS-TIGERS A BIG GAME

The frequency with which the Booneville-Mansfield game could be termed a big, or at least an interesting game has increased dramatically over the past decade.

Just last year Mansfield had a single conference loss, and it by 7 points to a defending state champion when the Bearcats visited in week 7.

During the 2018 and 2019 cycle it was Mansfield riding an air attack offense with no leagues losses when they came to Booneville in week 7 of 2018, and the 2019 game in Mansfield was a wild 48-27 final.

In 2014 Mansfield made an upset bid against a defending state champion losing 48-25, and even in a down year in 2015, a 21-14 game decided a playoff spot.

The schools did not meet in 2016 and 2017 or in 2020 and 2021.

This year, both teams are 4-0 in conference play for Friday’s game set again in Mansfield, in a product of a schedule shakeup during the offseason.

The Bearcats are 7-0 overall and Mansfield is 5-2 with the four conference wins following a 13-12 loss to Lamar that completed a 1-2 nonconference slate with the losses by five total points.

• Mascots: Booneville Bearcats; Mansfield Tigers
• When: 7 PM, October 25, at Tiger Stadium in Mansfield
• Series: Booneville leads 62-16-3 (.784)
• Streak: Booneville has won last 24
• Last Meeting: Booneville 42 Mansfield 7 on October 13, 2023
• First Meeting: Booneville 19 Mansfield 0 in 1921
• Conference Affiliations: Both are 3A-1

TODAY IN BEARCAT FOOTBALL HISTORY: The Bearcats are 7-5-1 all time in games documented to have been played on October 25. The most recent playing date was in 2019 and included Cam Brasher running 97 yards for a touchdown in Charleston in a 21-7 win. Brasher ran for 223 on the night and the Bearcat offense had 464 yards. In 1985 Any Napier had a 70-yard punt return and Rusty McDonald ran for 125 yards in a 35-7 win over Waldron. In 1946 it was Don Dempsey and “Goat” Chambers combining on a 66-yard pass in a 12-6 win over Morrilton, and in John Schlinker had a 72-yard run against Clarksville in a 14-8 win over Clarksville in 1996.

NOTES: The 82nd meeting with Mansfield will move the series into third place alone in terms games played. Booneville has faced Waldron 81 times. The 62 wins over Mansfield makes the Tigers the teams most often beaten by Booneville. Last Friday was the second time the game started with the Bearcats kicking off but getting the football due to a turnover as Clayton Green recovered a loose football. Special teams had an impact Friday night as both teams muffed kicks, the opening kickoff for West Fork and a punt by the Bearcats. Dakota Mattson had a 45-yard punt and averaged 38.5 yards per punt for the night and Oliver Loaeza hit three of four extra points. Possibly overlooked Dylan Todd returned two kickoffs 63 yards, one of which set up a Jace Washburn to Noah Harrel touchdown pass in the final minute of the first half. For Harrel (shown), who came back to the program for the first time since junior high, it was his first career touchdown reception. Mansfield is the second of three straight Tiger opponents on the schedule. Friday’s win increased the current winning streak to 19.

THE 3A-1: Nothing was close last week. The Bearcats, in their only home game of October, won 41-6 while Mansfield was winning in Cedarville 46-6, Charleston was topping Lavaca 45-15, and Greenland handed Hackett’s its fourth conference loss 34-6.

The primary game this week is obviously the Bearcats at Mansfield, but elsewhere Cedarville is at Charleston, Hackett is at Lavaca, and the rivalry of Greenland at West Fork is also on tap.

THEME: The pep rally theme is Halloween.