The Mitchell High varsity football team kept its unblemished record intact, moving to 4-0 with a 20-3 win at Andrews on Friday, Sept. 8 in the regular season non-conference finale.
The Mountaineers outgained the Wildcats 156-145 and got a big rushing night from Rylan Cooper (8 carries, 63 yards and a touchdown).
After a scoreless opening quarter, Andrews got on the board with a 29-yard field goal from Ty Clark. That would prove to be the hosts’ lone points of the evening.
Junior quarterback Caleb Cook put the visitors on top midway through the second quarter with a 6-yard pass to Chris Wences.
Cooper pushed the lead to 12-3 at halftime with a 1-yard touchdown dive in the final minutes of the first half.
After a quiet third quarter, Cook hooked up with Dillon Barnett for a 37-yard touchdown in the fourth that made the final score 20-3.
Cooper finished as Mitchell’s leading rusher, followed by Chase Duncan (13 carries, 29 yards) and Kaj Pittman (3 carries, 5 yards). Dayshawn Orr ran once for 5 yards.
Cook was 5-of-10 through the air for 59 yards and two touchdowns. He completed three passes to Barnett for 53 yards and a touchdown. Wences and Kadan Phillips had a reception each. Cooper registered a team-high 10 tackles. Barnett and Jordan Riddle tallied 6 tackles each.
The Mitchell defense forced a pair of turnovers– a fumble and an interception of Eli Anguilar. Despite trailing in the time of possession battle (27:32 to 20:28), Mitchell’s stingy defense limited the hosts throughout the night. Andrews was led on the ground by Dalton Rose with 67 yards on 15 carries. Mitchell now turns its attention to Western Highlands Conference play.
The team hosts Madison on Friday, Sept. 15 to begin the league slate.
The Mountaineers are then at Owen before coming home again to face Draughn.