Mitchell advanced to the second round of the NCHSAA 1A state playoffs after overpowering South Davidson 72-21 in Ledger in the opening round on Friday, Nov. 4.
Mitchell (8-3) advances to play at Draughn— a familiar Western Highlands Conference foe. Draughn (10-1) beat Mitchell 56-21 midway through the regular season.
To set up the rematch, Mitchell got started quickly. The Mountaineers scored 14 points in the first quarter behind Ty Turbyfill and Chad Giarrusso.
South Davidson scored a passing touchdown early in the second but Mitchell did plenty of damage before halftime.
Giarrusso and Gage Young scored rushing touchdowns and Turbyfill found Dillon Barnett for another score to push the lead to 35-7.
South Davidson scored two passing touchdowns in the final minutes of the first half but Turbyfill hit Dalton Hollifield for a touchdown and Giarrusso kicked a 35-yard field goal to give the hosts a commanding 45-21 lead at halftime.
Gage Young ran for a touchdown and caught a touchdown pass from Turbyfill in the third to push the lead to 58-21.
Later in the quarter, Young intercepted a pass and took it 38 yards into the endzone for another touchdown that made the score 65-21.
Cole Young added an 11-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth that made the final score 72-21.
Mitchell racked up 459 yards of offense compared to South Davidson’s 281.
Turbyfill completed 7-of-8 passes for 167 yards and four touchdowns and ran 7 times for 74 yards and a score.
Gage Young was the team’s leading rusher with 7 carries for 87 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Giarrusso carried 11 times for 73 yards and a touchdown.
Hollifield paced the receivers with a pair of receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown.
Kaden Phillips and Joe Conley paced the defense by combining for 9 tackles.
Mitchell and Draughn begin second-round action at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 11 in Valdese.