Mavericks make statement in season opener
Martin County West dismantles Windom Area 60-0
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TRIMONT - Four quarters were all it took to show that this year's Martin County West football team was completely different from last fall.
The previous season's Mavericks had a plethora of new underclassmen, and even some juniors, who took on a bigger role. It forced many athletes to adapt quickly to the speed and strength of the varsity level. A tough transition for anyone with little to no experience.
Maverick head coach Tom Elliot hoped that his returning bunch of talent could learn much from its 1-8 record in 2025. And following Friday night's season-opening affair against Windom Area, it seems like the fruits of their labor are starting to pay off.
MCW dismantled the Eagles from start to finish at Trimont Elementary Football Field, scoring touchdowns in all three phases to post the 60-0 victory. It's the second time in the past four seasons the Mavericks have started the year with a win.
"These guys, they know what happened last year," Elliot said. "They didn't like the taste it left in their mouth. So they came in [tonight] charged up and wanted to prove that this is a different team. It was in all three phases of the game: offense, defense, and special teams. You can't ask for much more than that."
There is obviously much to highlight in a victory that sees eight touchdowns and a stout defensive performance. But the bulk of those scores came from the likes of one man: Pierce Rohman.
Elliot called Rohman his workhorse last season. The now-senior finished his previous campaign with 813 total yards and three scores, using his abilities as a running and pass-catching weapon to give opposing defenses a constant worry. A Swiss Army knife, if you will. Friday's five-touchdown performance showed all the ways he can impact a game.
Rohman's first three touchdowns gave MCW a quick 22-point advantage after scoring on a pair of two-point tries. All three end zone trips showed his ability to maneuver for a short conversion. Maverick quarterback Maddex Faber simply had to pitch it to his running mate inside the 10-yard line. Rohman did the rest every single time.
The running back's fourth and fifth scores in the third quarter showed his skills in the open field. Windom Area's kickoff to begin the second half was bounced right in front of Rohman near the Maverick sideline. A quick hesitation was all it took to let a few white jerseys pass, opening a crease in the cutback lane that was instantly taken advantage of.
Seven plays later, Rohman received a handoff on the Eagles’ 33-yard line. Again, using patience and vision, the senior cut to his right. It was the perfect path to take. Nothing but green grass in front of him as he passed the goal line.
Rohman's final scamper ballooned MCW's advantage to 46-0, marking an end to his incredible effort. He matched his touchdown barrage with 121 yards on 14 carries.
"He's great on offense. He's quick, so shifty, and has great vision. Nobody can get a clean hit on him, and that's his game," Elliot said. "After playing for three years, he's really kind of perfected it. I don't know if you're ever perfect, but he's gotten darn good at it."
The reliance on Rohman and Faber - who finished Friday with 139 yards and one passing touchdown - limited last season's offense. Teams would key in on one or both players to stop the Mavericks completely.
Elliot thought that his returning core of outside weapons would have the ability to take the load off his proven playmakers. While it’s only been one game, the MCW head man looks to be right thus far.
Lixon Forsberg missed nearly the entire fall last season with injury. In his 2026 debut, the basketball and track athlete shined at wide receiver. Forsberg collected three catches for 61 yards. The bulk of those yards came from a deep post connection from Faber that ultimately found the end zone.
Tight end Jackson Wilmes took his three receptions for an effective 49 yards. Even Preston Cepress showed off his athleticism after taking a punt return and interception back for a pair of scores that put the Mavericks up by 60. All three faces join Rohman and Faber on offense. All three faces can add another element to MCW's scoring strategy.
"We have other playmakers too," Elliot said. "We had other kids step up, and hopefully that makes us very difficult to deal with. Last year, it was very much [opposing team's] keying on Rohman. But now, we have the ability to open it up a little bit. ...I feel like we have a lot of different weapons and can do a lot of different things."
The Mavericks’ defensive performance was just as impressive as their scoring assault. It's a unit, much like the makeup of MCW's roster, that comes back with another season of experience. Multiple returning starters on all three levels of its scheme showed their offseason development.
Windom Area didn't secure a first down until the fourth quarter. MCW held the Eagles to three consecutive three-and-outs in the first half. The Maverick defensive line and linebacking core helped establish an edge throughout the night, which Elliot believes can be a weapon for his team going forward.
"Up front, we return a lot of guys. Three of the four starters on the defensive front while bringing back both of our linebackers," Elliot said. "I think that front seven is going to be our identity, and teams are going to struggle in dealing with those guys."
The 2026 fall is still young. MCW still has seven games remaining to determine how successful the season really was. But starting with a win is always a good sign. Winning this emphatically? Even better.
Now, Elliot and the rest of his coaching staff hope this early momentum can springboard their team over the next handful of weeks, showing their efforts last year weren't in vain.
"It's the experience," Elliot said. "These youngsters who were thrown into the fire last year now know what to expect with the speed of the game. It really put us over the top tonight, and hopefully it continues to carry us throughout the season."