Noah Pitman to play football at Mars Hill
Mitchell High School senior and standout quarterback for the Mountaineers Noah Pitman signed his letter-of-intent Monday, May 18, to play football at Mars Hill University. (Brandon Roberts/MNJ)
LEDGER – Mitchell senior Noah Pitman may have suited up for the final time as a Mountaineer, but his days of playing football are far from over.
Pitman, a standout quarterback in high school, officially signed to play football for the Mars Hill University Lions on Monday, May 18, at Memorial Stadium.
“They seemed interested,” Pitman said about Mars Hill. “A big reason I signed is because of coach (Kevin) Barnette. Ever since the first time we met, I have felt like I can trust him.”
Pitman was statistically the top offensive player in Western North Carolina in 2019 and the only player in the region to pass and rush for more than 1,000 yards.
“He’s a special kid and a special athlete,” said Travise Pitman, head football coach and athletic director at Mitchell High School. “He made my job easy. He carried himself well on and off the field and was good to everyone. He’s appreciative, doesn’t think he’s better than anyone and is a true team player.”
Mars Hill is an NCAA Division II team that went 5-6 overall and 4-4 in the South Athletic Conference this past season. Pitman is part of a 26-player recruiting class that includes three quarterbacks, four wide receivers, two running backs, an offensive lineman and one tight end on offense, and five defensive backs, three linebackers and three linemen on defense. The Lions also signed three kickers/punters and a long-snapper.
“We are very excited to have Noah as a part of our program,” said Barnette, Mars Hill defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. “We are probably going to give him a shot at slot receiver first with the intention of finding the best place for him to play.”
Noah leaves Mitchell a decorated athlete. He is a two-time Western Highlands Conference Player of the Year, a two-time all-conference selection in baseball, basketball and football and a finalist for the WNC Sports Awards Division II Male Athlete of the Year, as well as other accolades.
As starting quarterback his junior and senior seasons, Pitman threw for 3,222 total yards and 47 touchdowns. Equally as dangerous on the ground, Pitman rushed for 4,155 yards and 38 touchdowns over four years. As a senior, he passed and rushed for more than 1,600 yards.
He recorded 132 tackles on defense over his four years as a Mountaineer.
“I’m glad I got to see and be a part of his time at Mitchell,” Travise Pitman said. “I think he will contribute immediately at Mars Hill.”
Noah said his career at Mitchell was a “fun time,” and it doesn’t matter what position he plays at Mars Hill.
“I get to play football for four more years,” he said. “I’m glad Mars Hill is close to home, too, so my parents can come to see me play.”