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Mustangs keep Cobras at arm's length in win

MITCHELL 21, HUDSON 14: The Mustangs likely grab an at-large playoff spot despite a 4-6 record.

By JAMAL THALJI, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published November 8, 2002

TRINITY -- The Mustangs did their part Thursday night.

Barely.

Mitchell held off Hudson 21-14 at Mustang Stadium to earn that crucial fourth victory needed to slip into the playoffs with a sub-.500 record.

The Mustangs (4-6) looked strong in the first half, as quarterback Spencer Brown ran for a 7-yard touchdown and threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Scott Frazier to take a 14-0 lead.

But right on schedule in the second half, the Cobras (1-8) rallied, and Mitchell had to survive an inept and clumsy second-half effort in all three phases of the game to hold on for the victory.

The second-year varsity program almost blew its first shot at the postseason. The Mustangs couldn't stop the run, couldn't protect a two touchdown lead, couldn't capitalize on a botched punt snap that gave them possession on their own 20, couldn't connect on a 33-yard, third-quarter field goal that would have resulted in a comfortable 17-point lead and couldn't even run the clock out in the final two minutes.

"I lost some years there," Mitchell coach Scott Schmitz said.

"We had our chances to put them away in the second half and instead we committed some mental boo-boos. But you've got to give Hudson credit. They fought and fought to the end, just like I knew they would."

Hudson struck quickly in the second half. Travis Miller broke free down the right sideline, running untouched for a 45-yard touchdown to make it 14-7. Mitchell answered, taking a 21-7 lead on Ricky Moise's 13-yard run. Josh Bunting scored on a 1-yard quarterback sneak to cut the lead to 21-14 with 3:20 left. Hudson forced Mitchell to punt, but couldn't get past its own 25 and turned it over on downs.

The Mustangs are likely to earn a wild card berth into the Class 4A playoffs, but must wait for one last domino to fall: tonight's Bayside (3-5) at Eau Gallie (7-2) game on the other coast. Playoff pairings will be announced at 5 p.m. Sunday.

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