When time ran out at Saturday’s game against Chadron State, it not only meant the Mavs lost 31-21 to the Eagles. But it marked the end of the football careers for 16 seniors.
Going into the game with a 3-6 record, the Mavs looked to play for pride in front of the 920 people that showed up. It looked to be a promising game as Mesa scored first. After the defense forced a fumble and recovered it on Chadron’s nine-yard line, running back Will Halboth punched it in for a one-yard touchdown run just five minutes into the game. With a 7-0 lead, momentum looked to go in Mesa’s direction.
Chadron, however, tied the game with four minutes to go in the first. When the second quarter started, Chadron’s offense executed its balance offense, scoring 17 points in the quarter.
“They kept the ball in control,” Mesa State coach Joe Ramunno said. “They made it where we couldn’t play our style.”
Mesa State got the ball to start the second half down 24-7.  With just over a minute passing by, running back James Hamm scored on a 17-yard touchdown run to bring the Mavs within 10 points. Chadron then scored on its first possession as Dominic Morris ran it in from 13 yards out.
Morris was the Eagles’ top offensive performer as he attacked Mesa both on the ground and with his hands. Morris had 153 yards rushing with a touchdown and six catches for 71 yards, including a 51-yard touchdown grab.
The Mavs’ final touchdown of the year came on a 21-yard touchdown grab by Robert Felberg from quarterback Michael Mankoff. After a failed onside kick attempt, the Eagles held on for the 31-21 victory.
“It’s normally frustrating finishing a season 3-7, but I know we have a much better team than that,” Ramunno said. “We just couldn’t get the job done when we needed to, but I love each and every one of these seniors and we are going to grow on what they did for this team.”
The Mavs’ offense had a hard time getting anything started as they were only able to produce 129 yards of total offense and nine first downs. The Chadron offense had 466 total yards.
The Mavericks’ defense gave the team chances as they forced five turnovers, all fumbles. The offense turned the ball back over three of those times, and only capitalized on one of the turnovers.
“They did a lot of things that we just couldn’t pick up on,” wide receiver Brennan Belloni said. “Mankoff did a great job, especially after taking so many shots the past few weeks. It just sucks that we had to end the year this way.”
With 16 seniors leaving, the end of the season gives a few of them time to reflect on everything they have done.
“I’m just going to remember the fun and lifetime friends I made,” senior defensive end Nainoa Campbell said. “Regardless of how the season went, I will always cherish the friends I make and be proud to be a Maverick. Even down the road I’m going to check in and always keep in touch.”
With the end of a disappointing season, next year already looks promising for the team. A lot of the younger guys got a lot more time towards the end of the year. The Mankoff/Felberg situation settled down as Felberg is now a receiver and experience is going to be high for many of the players.
“I’m absolutely excited for next season,” Belloni said. “I liked being the go-to guy. I always go to the coaches and tell them what I see and they catch it. We have experience now and I can’t wait for next year. Watch out for our offense next season.”
u
ahimes@mesastate.edu