The Mitchell Mountaineers looked to continue its positive momentum stemming from its 24-23 upset victory at home over Polk on Friday, October 8, but the rushing of Bearcats backs Cam Hill and Desmond Whiteside proved too tough to tame as Hendersonville defeated the Mountaineers 35-14 at Dietz Field last week.
"We came out here hard and ready to play," said Hendersonville’s Hill, who ran for 138 yards, hauled in a pair of interceptions and made a tackle that stunted a Mountaineer touchdown drive in the first half inside the red zone. "Every game I'm ready to play, but I was more ready [tonight], I guess."
"We came out here hard and ready to play," said Hendersonville’s Hill, who ran for 138 yards, hauled in a pair of interceptions and made a tackle that stunted a Mountaineer touchdown drive in the first half inside the red zone. "Every game I'm ready to play, but I was more ready [tonight], I guess."
Mitchell, who entered the showdown tied with four other schools for first place in the Western Highlands Conference, found itself trailing by a touchdown when Hill scored on a six-yard jaunt with 7:57 to play in the opening period.
Late in the first quarter the Mountaineers answered as quarterback Justin Hughes dropped back to find a receiver and decided to tuck the ball and run, scampering 18 yards for a Mitchell score. The Isaac Edwards extra point kick tied the game at 7-7 with 2:47 left in the first quarter.
On its next two possessions, the Mountaineers forced a pair of Bearcat turnovers via fumble, but was unable to convert the miscues into points, punting the football back to Hendersonville on both occasions.
Following the second punt, the Bearcats offense kicked into gear with a seven-play, 54-yard drive culminated by Hill’s second score, a 16-yard run to put the Bearcats on top by a 14-7 margin with 5:26 left in the first half.
After a Mountaineer punt, the teams traded interceptions late in the second quarter, the latter of which picked off by Hill who raced 78 yards for another Hendersonville touchdown. The extra point gave the Bearcats both momentum and a two-score advantage as they led 21-7 at halftime.
As the second half began the Mountaineers needed to seize momentum and take advantage of its first possession. Mitchell succeeded in both respects, as the offense marched 62 yards over six plays, capped by a Troy Self 16-yard touchdown run to pull the visitors within a touchdown at 21-14 with 9:21 to play in the third period.
With its ensuing possession, the Bearcats drove the length of the field to answer the Mitchell score. Using 14 plays to cover 60 yards of real estate, the Bearcats methodically moved downfield, ending the series in the end zone when quarterback Whiteside scurried 13 yards to again push the Hendersonville lead to 14 points at 28-14 late in the third period.
Mitchell’s offense could not find another answer or points to combat the Bearcat defense for the rest of the half, while Hendersonville’s Hill tacked on a final score, a 10-yard touchdown run with 7:34 left in the contest to provide for the game’s final margin of victory.
The Mountaineers ran the football 35 times for 189 yards in the contest, led by running back Shawn Jackson with 13 carries for 165 yards. Hendersonville’s Whiteside was 10 of 14 passing for 154 yards and added 75 rushing yards.
With the loss, Mitchell falls to 4-4, with a 2-2 record in conference play. The Mountaineers will host rival and conference co-leader Mountain Heritage this Friday night, October 22, at Memorial Stadium in Ledger.
Late in the first quarter the Mountaineers answered as quarterback Justin Hughes dropped back to find a receiver and decided to tuck the ball and run, scampering 18 yards for a Mitchell score. The Isaac Edwards extra point kick tied the game at 7-7 with 2:47 left in the first quarter.
On its next two possessions, the Mountaineers forced a pair of Bearcat turnovers via fumble, but was unable to convert the miscues into points, punting the football back to Hendersonville on both occasions.
Following the second punt, the Bearcats offense kicked into gear with a seven-play, 54-yard drive culminated by Hill’s second score, a 16-yard run to put the Bearcats on top by a 14-7 margin with 5:26 left in the first half.
After a Mountaineer punt, the teams traded interceptions late in the second quarter, the latter of which picked off by Hill who raced 78 yards for another Hendersonville touchdown. The extra point gave the Bearcats both momentum and a two-score advantage as they led 21-7 at halftime.
As the second half began the Mountaineers needed to seize momentum and take advantage of its first possession. Mitchell succeeded in both respects, as the offense marched 62 yards over six plays, capped by a Troy Self 16-yard touchdown run to pull the visitors within a touchdown at 21-14 with 9:21 to play in the third period.
With its ensuing possession, the Bearcats drove the length of the field to answer the Mitchell score. Using 14 plays to cover 60 yards of real estate, the Bearcats methodically moved downfield, ending the series in the end zone when quarterback Whiteside scurried 13 yards to again push the Hendersonville lead to 14 points at 28-14 late in the third period.
Mitchell’s offense could not find another answer or points to combat the Bearcat defense for the rest of the half, while Hendersonville’s Hill tacked on a final score, a 10-yard touchdown run with 7:34 left in the contest to provide for the game’s final margin of victory.
The Mountaineers ran the football 35 times for 189 yards in the contest, led by running back Shawn Jackson with 13 carries for 165 yards. Hendersonville’s Whiteside was 10 of 14 passing for 154 yards and added 75 rushing yards.
With the loss, Mitchell falls to 4-4, with a 2-2 record in conference play. The Mountaineers will host rival and conference co-leader Mountain Heritage this Friday night, October 22, at Memorial Stadium in Ledger.
