Brian Hobson
Sports@mitchellnews.com
The Mitchell High School Mountaineers may have thought the Avery High School Vikings would be a pushover given their record. Unfortunately, Friday night showed that records mean little heading into the postseason.
Mitchell started off its opening drive with a touchdown by the speedy Kaj Pittman. The Vikings failed to do anything with their first possession, but the tone changed on Mitchell’s next drive.
With 1st and 10 at the Avery 15, the ball slipped out of Pittman’s hands and into the hands of an Avery defender. What could have been a 14-0 lead for Mitchell soon turned into a 7-6 game after the Avery possession. Mitchell continued giving the ball to Pittman, and the running back soon scored again, making the game 14-6.
With 3:28 left in the second quarter, things were looking up for the Mountaineers, but Avery unfortunately found Mitchell’s weakness. The Viking quarterback launched the ball to Avery’s Oak Markland for a 75-yard touchdown, and after a missed 2-point conversion, Mitchell led going into halftime 14-12.
Ball handling was an issue for both teams, with multiple fumbles and interceptions throughout the game. One thing that wasn’t an issue was Avery’s ability to target their main wide receiver downfield.
After Kaj Pittman scored his 3rd touchdown of the night to make the game 21-12, the Vikings went back to the only play that was working for them. A 28-yard touchdown pass to Markland made the game 21-19, and then with 2:31 left in the game, yet another touchdown pass to Markland, this time a backbreaking 42 yard touchdown, gave Avery the 25-21 lead and the victory.
Friday night home game
Mitchell will be at home this Friday night in the first round of the playoffs, facing the Draughn Wildcats. Mitchell defeated Draughn earlier this season, 33-14 at Draughn.