Mountain Heritage versus Mitchell was another disappointing loss for the Mountaineers. Over the past five years, the post-game storyline has been about the same.
Heritage took the fight to the Mountaineers. The Cougars won the game at the line of scrimmage. They controlled the time of possession. They made fewer mistakes and mental errors. They outgained the Mountaineers by more than 200 yards this year, and the list goes on and on.
No excuses can be given. Congratulations to Heritage on its win this year, and best of luck for the rest of the season.
The question this year, just as in the past five years, is how will the 2019 team respond after another disappointing loss to Heritage? That question will not be answered this week and maybe not for several more weeks. This question will be answered when the Mountaineers face another “old-school” team that plays “old-style” football. In past years, they have regrouped and responded well. During at least the past five years, the young men on those teams went back to work, improved and generally got better as the year rolled along.
There is plenty of talent to move forward and put together another great year of Mountaineer football. Hopefully, at the end of the year, everyone involved with Mountaineer football will look back at the Heritage game and know lessons were learned, and those errors were corrected. The 2019 Mountaineer team is an excellent team with several weapons and skill players that can and will make plays moving forward.
Nobody, and I mean nobody, has taken this loss any harder than Head Coach Travise Pitman. I am certain he spent most of his weekend evaluating himself, the entire coaching staff and the team as well. With that being said, there is no need to panic. Again, this is a good Mountaineer football team, and they will finish the season strong. Everyone regrouped Monday and went back to work. I’m sure of it. The Mountaineers are fortunate to have a great group of committed young men that will respond well.
The game this week against Madison could be a “trap” game. In that, the Mountaineers are coming off of a disappointing loss. Behind the Patriots are tough games against Polk and Avery. So, this game is one in which the team will need to focus on getting back to work and correcting the errors from the Heritage game. These are the types of games that often cause coaches to have lots of anxiety. If history holds true this year, they will respond well and get back on track for the rest of the season.
One thing this team will need to see is the loyal Mountaineer fans in the stands. The young men on the 2019 team will need to see the community supporting their efforts by being in the stands for the remainder of the season. So, make plans to be at Memorial Stadium on Friday and get behind the Mountaineers. Remember to dress in your purple, keep bringing those cowbells, and make lots of noise.
Go, Mountaineers!
Chris Pitman gains his views from 40 years of involvement with Mitchell High School Athletics.