Mitchell Ends Season at 10-2 after 31-28 Loss to Manatee

     High School Football in Florida

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Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @avillamarzo. 

By Andy Villamarzo 
PascoCountyFB Staff Writer 

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Mitchell Mustangs

TRINITY- If Friday night’s contest between Mitchell and Bradenton Manatee has any indication of what the future looks like for the Mustangs, just consider it to be a very bright one for a program that’s on the up and up. 

Despite heading into the game not having seen an opponent like the caliber of a Bradenton Manatee, Mitchell was more than ready to stand up to the challenge. The Mustangs took an early 7-0 lead before the Hurricanes scored three unanswered touchdowns en route to defeating Mitchell 31-28 at Mustang Stadium. 

The loss for Mitchell marks the end of the Pasco County prep football season, as the Mustangs finish out at 10-2, winning another district championship but falling just short of reaching the region quarterfinal. Manatee will host Venice, whom defeated Palm Beach Lakes, in the region final. 

 “That’s a state championship caliber football team over there,” Mitchell coach Andy Schmitz said after the loss. “My guys hung with them every step of the way and didn’t give an inch and I couldn’t be any more prouder of these guys. This senior class is a group of guys who have gotten the most out of their abilities.” 

 It was a tough defeat for Mitchell to swallow as the Mustangs certainly had their chances throughout the first half that may come back to haunt them. Two redzone opportunities before halftime inside of Manatee’s 20-yard line turned into zero points for Mitchell, as they went into intermission down 21-7. 

 Mitchell quarterback Ezra Brennan made sure the Mustangs wouldn’t go down without having something to say about the matter, with the junior signal caller tossing three touchdowns and 240 yards in the air against a stiff Hurricanes’ defense. 

 Running back Tyler Williams found it tough sledding most of the evening on the ground, as the workhorse had one big run of 55 yards but was kept in check otherwise. It became up to other skill players like Johnny Fairbank and Rob Graham to make some big plays through the air. Fairbank has a beautiful sliding catch for a touchdown in the third quarter that cut the deficit to 21-14, but Manatee was able to answer the bell right back with a score of its own. 

Mitchell (10-2) never gave up to the very end, as they scored a touchdown on quarterback sneak by Brennan to cut Manatee’s lead to 31-28 with under two minutes to go. Unfortunately the ensuing onside kick attempt didn’t go 10 yards and gave the ball back to Manatee, whom ended up running out the clock, thus ending one of the most successful runs in school history for Mitchell. 

“I know this junior class is going to be laser focused on going deeper into the playoffs,” Schmitz added. “This junior class is another group of really tough guys and we’re losing some key seniors, but we also have some guys coming up. We will be just fine.” 

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