With McNeil scoring its first touchdown of the season within the first minutes of the second quarter against Austin High, it was clear to the players that they had the game in hand. The Mavericks stampeded the Maroons ending the night 21-7.

“I actually lost my voice, I was screaming out there so much,” wide receiver Jaehlin Wilder said. “I’m glad we won.”

During the second half, linebacker Alec Anaya forced a fumble from Austin High. From that recovery, the Mavs went on to score two more touchdowns in the second half.

The next week, the Mavericks beat Del Valle at Cardinal Stadium.

Quarterback Hayden Cooper finished with 210 yards on 13 of 24 passes. Even though he had two picks and a lost fumble, he never lost control of the game.

Running back Jaden Lepisto earned his spotlight, running 153 yards on 22 carries, scoring two touchdowns. Then by repeatedly handing him the ball, McNeil ran out the clock, killing the game 17-10.

The Mavs take on the Killeen Ellison Eagles Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Leo Buckley Stadium.