Mitchell’s defense clamps down Springstead, wins crucial Class 4A-Suburban, District 6 tilt

TRINITY, FLORIDA- When in doubt, don’t count the Mitchell Mustangs out. 

With Class 4A-Suburban, District 6 hanging in the balance at Mustang Stadium Friday night between Mitchell and Springstead, the Mustangs’ defense was able to answer the bell. 

Despite being banged up and without too wide receiver Drayk Simmons, Mitchell was able to pull off a defensive masterpiece. Mustangs’ defensive back Carter Fields had a key interception and pass deflection late, lifting Mitchell to a 15-10 victory over Springstead. 

The loss is the first for the Eagles on the season and brings Springstead to 8-1. Mitchell improves to 5-3 and faces Sunlake and Wesley Chapel to end the season. Now it will be up to the ratings system to decide who ends up winning 4A-S6 as Mitchell, Springstead and Land O’ Lakes all have one loss in district play. 

“Coach (Justin Fenton) puts us in the best position possible to be in,” Fields said. “He let me play in man and when he broke on the comeback, I made a play like I wanted to. We knew this would be a close game coming into it. We knew how (Springstead) was coming.” 

Mitchell’s defense must’ve certainly known what was coming and when with two weeks to prepare for Springstead as the Mustangs held the Eagles to 168 yards of total offense on the night. 

Tough sledding was the case all evening long for the Eagles, with top running back Connor Mccazzio being held to 21 yards on six attempts. Quarterback Ayden Ferguson rushed for a team-high 73 yards, but only had 47 through the air and an interception.

Mitchell (5-3) made the case early that this game could go in its favor when quarterback Chris Ferrini scored on a 54-yard touchdown run just two minutes into the game. Trailing 6-0, Springstead’s offense on the next series went on a quick three and out, giving Mitchell the ball right back. 

The Mustangs then ate a big chunk of the first quarter clock up, with the second drive ending on a 26-yard Evan Mulcare field goal to give Mitchell a 9-0 lead. Springstead (8-1) didn’t get on the board until early in the second quarter on a short field goal to make it 9-3. 

The Eagles would start off the second half with the ball, but to no avail as they couldn’t muster up anything going offensively. Andy Schmitz’s group took advantage and got the game’s second touchdown on the scoreboard when Ferrini would score on a 2-yard plunge to make it 15-3. 

Ferrini may have not had a superb night if you looked at the stat sheet, with the senior signal caller finishing 7-of-17 for 102 yards and an interception but he did made a difference via the ground attack. The senior rushed for a gritty 129 yards and scored twice, helping generate offense against a stiff Eagles’ defense. 

Ferguson scored Springstead’s lone touchdown of the night on a 1-yard keeper to bring the Eagles within 15-10. Driving down the field with under three minutes left in the game, Fields was able to break on a Ferguson pass and stymied what looked to be Springstead’s last chance. 

The Eagles did get the ball back one more time, but Ferguson would be sacked on the game’s final play. Now the final two weeks of the season will be a roller coaster in finding out who eventually becomes the district champion. 

“They play so hard,” Mitchell head coach Andy Schmitz said of his team. “We’re a little undersized defensively. We’re not the most imposing look group. But they play so hard and they play so disciplined.”

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