Mason's 2026 football season opened with a 33-0 shutout loss to Springboro on Thursday, Aug. 20, at CareFlight Field. The No. 16-ranked Comets never found the end zone against a Panthers squad that has now won three consecutive season openers.

Mason showed life on its first drive. Running back Alex Noggel ripped off a 70-yard run to the Springboro 15-yard line, but the Comets turned it over on downs. The Panthers capitalized immediately, taking a 7-0 lead before the first quarter ended.

Springboro's offense controlled the rest of the night. Quarterback Max Miller connected with Kru Collins on a 15-yard touchdown pass to make it 13-0. Kicker Liam Cripe added a field goal for a 16-0 cushion. Brandon Birdsong Jr. punched in a 15-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter to push the lead to 23-0, then scored again as the Panthers built a 30-0 advantage through three quarters. Cripe's second field goal in the fourth set the 33-0 final.

Birdsong Jr. finished with two rushing touchdowns to lead the Springboro attack, according to the Dayton Daily News.

The Comets' defense had its moments despite the scoreboard. Defensive lineman Roman McCaster recorded a 25-yard sack, and Dave Hutton, a first-team All-GMC selection and team captain entering the season, forced a fumble that Mason recovered.

@mhssportsradio: "HUGE SACK Roman McCaster with a 25 yard sack for the Comets We're still in this!!!"

Head coach Brian Castner, now in his 17th year leading the program, faced a near-identical situation in 2025. The Comets started 0-2 last August, losing to both Springboro and Lakota West, before winning two straight Greater Miami Conference games to even their record at 2-2. "I feel like this team is going to keep fighting, but we have to get a lot better," Castner said in September 2025 after Mason evened that record.

The Comets will look to avoid an 0-2 start for the second straight year when they take the field in Week 2.