Mitchell’s Cole Young (7) and Rylan Cooper (30) converge on a Madison ball carrier during the team’s 63-20 drubbing of Madison on Friday, Sept. 16 at Mars Hill. (Cindy Giarrusso/For the Journal)
After dropping back-to-back non-conference games, the Mitchell High varsity football team got back on track by dismantling conference foe Madison 63-20 on Friday, Sept. 16 at Mars Hill.
Mitchell (3-2, 1-0) lost to Watauga and Andrews at home before toppling the Patriots (1-4, 0-1) in the Western Highlands Conference opener.
The Mountaineers got the scoring started early and staked themselves to a 21-0 lead after one quarter behind rushing touchdowns by Chad Giarrusso, Marley McCourry and Gage Young.
Madison got on the board with a second-quarter field goal but Mitchell answered with a 26-yard touchdown connection between senior quarterback Ty Turbyfill and Dalton Hollifield.
Madison notched a passing touchdown minutes later but Mitchell followed with back-to-back touchdowns on a 56-yard Giarrusso run and a 17-yard pass from Turbyfill to Dillon Barnett.
Madison kicked a field goal in the second quarter’s dying minutes and Mitchell led 42-13 at halftime.
The Mountaineers kept the pedal down in the third quarter. McCourry scored two rushing touchdowns in less than a minute to put the visitors up 56-13.
Mitchell’s Rylan Cooper then picked off a pass by Patriots quarterback Caden Hilemon and galloped 47 yards into the end zone for another touchdown late in the third quarter, giving Mitchell a commanding 63-13 lead.
Madison added a rushing touchdown as time expired in the fourth quarter to make the final score 63-20.
Young was Mitchell’s leading rusher with 115 yards and a touchdown on 7 carries. McCourry was on his heels with 106 yards and 3 touchdowns on just 6 carries.
Giarrusso just missed the century mark, running for 98 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 6 carries.
Turbyfill completed 5-of-9 passes for 89 yards and two touchdowns while running twice for 5 yards.
Young caught a team-high three passes for 46 yards. Hollifield’s lone reception went 26 yards for a touchdown and Barnett’s only catch was a 17-yard score.
The Mountaineers out-gained Madison 421-291. The Mitchell defense forced three turnovers— a pair of fumbles and one interception.
The Western Highlands Conference slate continues for Mitchell in Week 6 when Owen comes to town.
Much like Madison, the Warhorses have struggled mightily so far. Owen is 0-4 and coming off a 55-12 drubbing at the hands of conference rival Draughn.
Owen has allowed at least 44 points in all four of its losses this season and has scored more than 15 points just once (at North Henderson).
Kickoff between Owen and Mitchell is 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 23 in Ledger.