The Eastland Mavericks, despite a solid showing from quarterback Trey Ishmael, opened the 2026 high school football season on a sour note on Friday, falling in front of a large crowd at Maverick Stadium to Ballinger, 27-6.
Ballinger controlled the game early. The Bearcats scored once in the first quarter and twice more in the second en route to building a 20-0 lead at the half. They tacked on a fourth touchdown in the third and went up 27-0. Ishamel, who posted several long runs in the game, got the EHS offense in gear in the fourth. He highlighted the Mavs’ lone scoring drive with two long strikes.
Ballinger quarterback Wyatt Clemens had a solid outing for the Bearcats, completing nine of his 17 passing attempts for 245 yards and three touchdowns.
