HACKETT AT MANSFIELD

Tiger Stadium

KICKOFF 7 p.m.

RECORDS Season opener for both teams.

ON THE AIR None.

PLAYERS TO WATCH Hackett — QB Avery Hester (Jr., 5-9, 145), RB Fischer Shipman (Jr., 5-10, 165), RB Weston Winters (Jr., 5-10, 175), WR Levin Glass (Sr., 5-11, 170), NG Briar Goins (Sr., 5-10, 320), QB Ethan Slavens (So., 6-3, 160). Mansfield — QB Ethan Stovall (Sr., 6-2, 205), WR Layton Howard (Sr., 175), WR Jaicy Griffin (Sr., 5-10, 145), WR Tyler Holmes (Sr., 6-2, 175), LB Randall Claude (Jr., 5-11, 180), OT/NG Jacob Brown (Sr., 6-3, 250), FB/TE Isaac Cothran (Sr., 6-2, 215).

BETWEEN THE LINES Tim Cothran takes the reins at Mansfield, replacing Craig Bentley. … Cothran previously served as offensive coordinator for the Red Tigers, who return 15 starters from last year’s 8-4 team. … Senior QB Ethan Stoval passed for 2,309 yards and 26 touchdowns last season and was also the team’s leading rusher with 579 yards on the ground and 12 TDs. … Mansfield has four senior receivers, including three who started last year. … Tyler Holmes had 707 yards receiving on 39 catches (18.1 yards per catch) to lead the Tigers. … Isaac Cothran, the coach’s son, will shift from center to fullback for the Tigers. … Former Charleston football standout Michael Meador returns to Northwest Arkansas as coach of the Hornets. … Meador replaces Lonnie Hester, who retired as head coach. … Hackett has only three seniors on the team this season. … Avery Hester is the younger brother of Brady Hester, a former all-state quarterback at Hackett and son of the retired head coach. … The two teams will be a part of the same conference next season.

HOOTEN’S RANKINGS Hackett is No. 28 in Class 2A. Mansfield is No. 9 in Class 3A.

HOOTEN’S LINE Mansfield by 10. OUR TAKE Mansfield 28, Hackett 14