LEDGER – The Mitchell High School junior varsity football team fell to 1-7 on the season Thursday, Oct. 17, after a 32-14 home loss to Mountain Heritage.
The loss is Mitchell’s fourth straight since Thursday, Sept. 12, when the team won 22-6 against visiting McDowell.
The Cougars (7-0) jumped out to an early 16-0 lead after scoring rushing touchdowns in both the first and second quarters.
Mitchell quarterback Seth Rayfield connected with Gabe Brandt for a 14-yard touchdown just 10 seconds before halftime to cut the Heritage lead to 16-8, but the Cougars restored their two-score lead with a 60-yard rushing touchdown as time expired in the first half.
Heritage added to its lead with a 75-yard rushing touchdown early in the third quarter.
Mitchell’s Jason Smith powered his way into the end zone for a one-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to trim Heritage’s lead to 32-14.
Smith carried three times for six yards and scored the team’s lone rushing touchdown. Gage Young led the way on the ground for Mitchell, rushing for 67 yards on 18 carries.
Rayfield completed 8-of-14 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown while scrambling five times for 17 yards.
Brandt registered six receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown, and Dalton Hollifield hauled in a pair of passes for 25 yards.
Brandt anchored the Mitchell defense by racking up a team-high seven tackles. Isaac Biddix was credited with five tackles, including one for a loss, while Chandler Horney finished with two tackles, including one for a loss and one quarterback sack.
The junior varsity Mountaineers play at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, at Madison.