Mitchell County whips Chattahoochee County

CAMILLA — Perhaps the best way to describe Mitchell County’s offense Saturday night was like starting an old car on a cold morning.

It may sputter for the first few miles of the journey, but when it gets good and warmed up, the car usually runs pretty well.

After sputtering and failing to produce anything positive on the Eagles’ opening possession, Mitchell scored on its next three en route to a 61-28 victory over Region 1-A foe Chattahoochee County Saturday night at Centennial Stadium.

Running back Kobe Butler took a handoff, ran to his right and burst through a hole on his way to a 65-yard touchdown gallop. Then he scored on a 5-yard keeper to give the Eagles a 12-0 lead.

Although it wasn’t pretty at times, Mitchell did enough to stay unbeaten and set itself up for a showdown next Friday at Terrell County. Both were picked in the preseason to contend for the Region 1-A crown.

And the victory wouldn’t have been possible without stellar play from the defense, which allowed Chattahoochee County just one sustained drive.

Williams put on a show on offense, finishing with four touchdowns and tossing two two-point conversion passes.

Chattahoochee County (0-3, 0-2) cut Mitchell’s lead in half at 12-6 early in the second quarter, but the Eagles responded, getting a 2-yard touchdown run from Anthony McIntyre.

After an Eagle defender forced a fumble, McIntyre scooped up the fumble and returned it 31 yards for a touchdown. Williams then hit wide receiver Demetrius Jones on a two-point conversion pass and Mitchell took a 28-6 advantage into halftime.

The Panthers took advantage of a Mitchell fumble midway through the third quarter and scored a few plays later to trim the deficit to 28-12.

But each time Chattahoochee County scored in the second half, Mitchell had an answer.

Williams scored on a 18-yard touchdown gallop on the Eagles’ ensuing possession, then after another Panther touchdown and two-point conversion, Williams again scored when he beat all defenders on a 60-yard gallop to make it 42-20.

Mitchell put the game away when Butler took a pitch and rambled five yards for a score with 9:33 left in the fourth quarter for a 48-20 lead.