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Mustangs Must Adjust Goals Following Loss

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By RICK HARMON

Tribune correspondent

Published: October 26, 2008

TRINITY -- Mitchell was eliminated from postseason play Friday night after the Mustangs suffered a 37-19 loss to Wharton in Class 5A-District 5 action.

But according to Mustangs coach Scott Schmitz, it doesn't mean the season is over.

"We've got to recover from this – and we will," Schmitz said." There are still seven wins out there and that's what our goal needs to be right now."

The Mustangs (4-3, 0-2 in 5A-5) travel to Clearwater Central Catholic this Friday; host Wesley Chapel on Nov. 7 and finish the season at Sunlake on Nov. 11.

Mitchell scored on its third play of the game - an 80-yard run by Justin Hogston - but Wharton answered with a nine-play, 63-yard drive capped by a 1-yard run by quarterback Andrew Clifford. After the teams traded three-and-outs, the Mustangs took the lead on a 1-yard run by Ryan Gallagher that finished an 11-play, 75-yard drive.

Wharton had a game plan to stop Mitchell sophomore Ricky Trinidad and it worked. He was held to 57 yards on 12 carries and was tackled for a loss three times.

"They were loading up that side," Schmitz said. "The game plan was to go to the weak side and it worked on the third play of the game. [Trinidad] probably didn't get as many touches as he should have … that's my call. It's the way the game went."

But Mitchell seemed to fall apart toward the end of the first half. Jairus Jones put Wharton on top 14-13 with a 46-yard touchdown. On the next Mustangs drive, they gave up a safety when a bad snap on a punt attempt forced the Mitchell punter to fall down in the end zone. Wharton got the ball back on the Mitchell 37 when the line-drive kickoff was caught by Eric Nordlund. Five plays later, Clifford scored again from the 1 and the Wildcats led 23-13 at halftime.

"We had some opportunities in the second half but we just didn't get it done," Schmitz said. "The kids never quit. We had that little stretch toward the end of the first half that just really hurt us. It's just one of those things that happen and we had a hard time recovering from that."

Mitchell jumped right back into the game when sophomore Ricky Trinidad returned the second-half kickoff 90 yards to the Wharton 5. Two plays later, Ryan Gallagher scored his second 1-yard touchdown to make the score 23-19.

After that play, Mitchell's final four possessions ended in punt, interception, on downs and interception.

Field position played a key part of the game. Wharton's average starting position was its own 43 and four times the Wildcats started at the 50-yard-line or better. Mitchell started at its own 34 and six times the Mustangs drives started at their own 25 of worse.

"We've got to do a better job on our kicking game," Schmitz said. "When you play field position with our offense, you've got to go a long way and you can't make mistakes. Tonight, we made mistakes and just didn't get it done."

Wharton's starting positions following kicks were Mitchell 40, own 37, 50-yard-line, own 41, Mitchell 34, own 48 and Mitchell 37.

Cody Van De Boe was only 2 of 10 for 19 yards and one interception. Trinidad also threw an interception on a halfback pass.

[Van De Boe] is getting better. But we've got to hit some receivers," Schmitz said. "We've got to make some completions when we need them."

Correspondent Rick Harmon can be reached at tampabaystringer@gmail.com

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