Victory sets up Regional Finals date with Robbinsville
The Mitchell High varsity football team is in the 1A Western Regional Championship after outlasting Mount Airy 21-14 on the road on Friday, Nov. 26.
The No. 3-seeded Mountaineers (12-2) got the scoring started early in the opening quarter when junior quarterback Ty Turbyfill capped the opening drive with a 24-yard rushing touchdown.
Turbyfill then connected with senior Ethan Willis for an 87-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. Mitchell led 14-0 before Mount Airy (13-1) answered just minutes later with a 49-yard rushing touchdown.
The Granite Bears tied the game midway through the fourth with a 78-yard touchdown pass when Ian Gallimore dumped the ball off to Zeb Stroup, who made defenders miss and sprinted downfield.
The Mitchell offense had the final answer. Turbyfill drove his team down the field in the waning minutes and capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown dive on fourth and goal to put the visitors up 21-14.
Mitchell’s defense held off a final Mount Airy push to win 21-14.
Turbyfill was the team’s leading rusher with 180 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 34 carries. Sophomore Chase Duncan chipped in six carries for 18 yards.
Turbyfill completed 1 of 3 passes— his 87-yard connection with Willis. Turbyfill also had an interception while playing safety.
Xander Gardner forced a fumble. Enrique Huaroco had a team-high six tackles, including two for a loss. Chandler Horney had five tackles, including two for a loss. Duncan and Caden Phillips each had a pass breakup.
Mitchell will host No. 4 seed Robbinsville (10-3) in the Western Regional Championship on Friday, Dec. 3. Robbinsville beat Murphy 28-14 to advance to regionals.
Our View: One last chance to pack Memorial Stadium
It’s an exceptionally rare, exciting opportunity to host a high school football game as big as the 1A Western Regional Championship, but it’s a spectacle that comes to Ledger on Friday, Dec. 3.
There are few greater things in sports than when a stadium is rocking with noise, swelling with energy, rising and falling with each emotional blip throughout the evening.
That’s what the Mountaineers will need in this big game against Robbinsville.
This is a special Mitchell team and one that is just a single win away from playing for a state title. If you make the trip to Ledger to attend only one Mitchell High game in your life, make it this one.
The battle between two top four seeds who sport a combined 22-5 record promises to be a great one. Make sure you’re there to witness it.
Make plans to grab dinner at a local restaurant and take the short drive to Ledger this Friday. Bundle up, arrive early and make sure you wear your best purple gear.
Regardless of Friday’s final result, it will be a historic moment and one you will remember for years. Pack the stands, kick back and let the players do the rest. Cap this great ride off the right way.