By Noah Dalton
MITCHELL — Mitchell’s season came to an end Friday night with a 47-28 loss to Switzerland County in the opening round of sectional play.
The game was back and forth early, with the Bluejackets trailing by just one point, 7-6, at the conclusion of the first quarter. In the second, the Pacers’ offense exploded for 26 points, outpacing Mitchell’s eight. Switzerland County scored four touchdowns in the period, two of them on receptions by Masin Stroud, and took a 33-14 lead into halftime.
“It was a couple of turnovers and then a couple of holding calls that put us back,” head coach Bobby Owens said. “Once we got behind the sticks, it’s really tough to get going.”
Mitchell continued to fight in the second half, keeping even with the Pacers. The Bluejackets’ defense limited Switzerland County to nine first downs after halftime, compared to 17 in the first half, and kept the Pacers off the board in the third quarter, with Sven Lutchka coming down with an interception.
In the fourth, Kaden Mullis connected with Lutchka on an 80-yard touchdown and then found freshman Tajay Alexander from three yards out.
Alexander’s touchdown carried special meaning for Owens and his group. He said his seniors banded together to get the freshman his first score of the season on the play.
“All my seniors from the offense ran to the sideline and said, ‘Coach, we gotta get Tajay a touchdown,’” Owens said.
Switzerland County was led through the air by Aiden Mosley, who completed 13/21 passes for 188 yards and three touchdowns. Stroud was his top target with nine catches for 183 yards, and Aiden Greene added four receptions for 56 yards. Greene also led the Pacers on the ground with 112 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.
For Mitchell, Mullis finished 14/28 for 159 yards and three touchdowns. Lutchka led the Bluejackets in receiving yardage with four catches for 105 yards, while Kelan Endris hauled in nine passes for 49 yards. Endris also led Mitchell on the ground with 84 yards and a touchdown on five carries, and Mullis added 41 yards on 11 rushes.
Endris, Lutchka and Mullis were steady anchors for the team all year.
Endris ended the season on a tear. He accounted for two touchdowns on the night despite dealing with a hip flexor issue. He found the endzone three times the previous week. “He had two touchdowns today, three touchdowns last week, and he’s a sophomore,” Owens said.
Lutchka had the tough assignment of covering Stroud, a big receiver who was Switzerland County’s top target on the night. “Sven’s one of the best corners around,” Owens said.
Mullis was the player Owens turned to this season when the Bluejackets needed a play. “He was my go-to,” Owens said.
Despite a strong showing from the offense with 290 combined yards from scrimmage, the night was plagued by turnovers, with three fumbles lost and two interceptions thrown, and Owens said the season often came down to small moments. “We were one or two bounces away from a good one,” he said.
The loss marks the end of Owens’ first season at the helm, with Mitchell finishing their campaign with an overall record of 1-9. Despite the record, the season served as a platform for the young team, with just five senior members, to continue to gain valuable experience that will likely prove crucial for the program going forward.
“I think we finally found our identity, our niche on offense,” Owens said. “We’re growing and we’re building. I’m gonna get the numbers up, and I’m here to stay as long as the school will have me. I love the team, I love the community and I love the environment.”
