2026 Mansfield Sr. Tygers football preview

MANSFIELD — Welcome to Richland Source’s 2026 high school football previews. Over the coming days, we’ll preview all the schools across the county. Each preview features this season’s schedule, last season’s performance, statistics, a player to watch and what fans can expect under the Friday night lights.

Today, we preview the Mansfield Senior Tygers. Find all of our 2026 high school football previews here.

Graham Auto Mall is proud to back our area’s local athletes and help Richland Source provide fans in-depth coverage of the upcoming high school football season.

Mansfield Senior Tygers 2026 Preview

Division: III
Region: 10
Conference: Ohio Cardinal Conference
Coach: David Phillips Jr.
Last year: 1-9
Playoff Appearances: 13 (2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2015, 2013, 2012, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1993)
Playoff Record: 12-13

PLAYER TO WATCH 👀

Xavier Taylor: A senior, Taylor did a little bit of everything for the Tygers last fall. He led the team with 67 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss. Taylor also caught seven passes for 90 yards and a touchdown and returned punts and kicks. He was an Ohio Cardinal Conference honorable-mention selection.

BY THE NUMBERS 📊

Combined wins in the past two seasons for the Tygers, the worst two-year stretch since Senior High went a combined 1-17-2 in 1978 and 1979.

Coaches in three seasons at Mansfield Senior. David Phillips Jr. takes over for Antonio Fletcher, whose contract was not renewed after one season. Fletcher replaced Chioke Bradley, who stepped down following the 2024 campaign after 15 seasons.

33.9

Rushing yards per game for the Tygers last fall. Senior High rushed for 100 yards in a game just once and was held to negative rushing yardage three times.

40.2

Points per game allowed by the Tygers last year. Senior High was outscored 92-12 in the first quarter and 225-64 in the first half.

2025 RESULTS

Hilliard Davidson 38, Mansfield Senior 7
Tiffin Columbian 45, Mansfield Senior 12
Cleveland VASJ 47, Mansfield Senior 7
West Holmes 45, Mansfield Senior 6
New Philadelphia 45, Mansfield Senior 26
Lexington 48, Mansfield Senior 6
Ashland 48, Mansfield Senior 19
Mansfield Senior 34, Wooster 21
Canton GlenOak 44, Mansfield Senior 12
Madison 21, Mansfield Senior 7

2026 SCHEDULE 📅

Aug. 21 — at Hilliard Davidson
Aug. 28 — TIFFIN COLUMBIAN
Sept. 4 — WATKINS MEMORIAL
Sept. 11 — at West Holmes
Sept. 18 — at New Philadelphia
Sept. 25 — LEXINGTON
Oct. 2 — at Ashland
Oct. 9 — WOOSTER
Oct. 16 — DOVER
Oct. 23 — at Madison

TWO MINUTE DRILL ⏱️

David Phillips Jr., a 2004 Senior High graduate and the program’s former career rushing king, takes over for Antonio Fletcher. Phillips piloted the heralded freshman class to unbeaten seasons in football and basketball each of the past two years. … Phillips’ son, David Phillips III, is a member of the freshmen class and will likely take over at quarterback this fall. … It’s no secret the past two seasons have been difficult. There’s light at the end of the tunnel.