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Mitchell Wins, 16-13

By RICK HARMON

Tribune correspondent

Published: October 17, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - Scott Schmitz knows nothing is going to come easy for his Mitchell team. The Mustangs are 4-2 this season after their 16-13 win against Ridgewood on Thursday night. "We could easily be 0-6," Schmitz said.

Mitchell's four wins (Zephyrhills, River Ridge, Hudson and Ridgewood) have been by a total of 14 points.

"We can't do anything easy," Schmitz said. "That's been our M.O. all year. We make a great run, get a great interception ... and then fumble."

The series of events Schmitz referred to occurred with three minutes remaining in Thursday's game and the Mustangs leading 10-7. With Ridgewood (3-3) driving, Mustangs defensive end Chris Pagano sacked Rams quarterback Jimmy Mattos on fourth-and-4 on the Mitchell 35-yard line. After a facemask penalty on Ridgewood moved the ball to the Rams' 39, sophomore Ricky Trinidad slashed to the end zone to put the Mustangs on top 16-7.

On the second play of Ridgewood's ensuing series, Trinidad intercepted a Mattos pass at the Mitchell 16-yard line. But on the next play, Mitchell fumbled the ball back to Ridgewood, which scored five plays later to cut the Mustangs' lead to 16-13 with 44 seconds remaining.

"Our defense did a good job on the goal line," Schmitz said. "It took them five plays to gain 17 yards and Ridgewood had to use their timeouts. It helped us with the clock."

Ridgewood tried an onside kick, but it was recovered by Mitchell's Markus Tominus and the Mustangs were able to run the time out.

The anticipated battle between Ridgewood running Sterling Ross, a transfer from Mitchell, and the Mustangs' Trinidad did not disappoint. Trinidad rushed for 175 yards on 15 carries and one touchdown. He also caught three passes for 47 yards and had the key interception of the game.

Ross rushed for 109 yards on 23 carries and a TD and caught a 56-yard pass from Mattos for another score. Ross also had a 23-yard TD negated because of a holding penalty.

Neither team put up much of a passing game. Mitchell's Cody Van De Boe was four of 13 for 61 yards while Ridgewood's Scott Kujack and Jimmy Mattos combined for four of 15 passing for 75 yards.