Pelham tops Mitchell by 3 in Backyard Brawl ‘16

PELHAM — The Backyard Brawl — as it was billed Friday night in Pelham — did not disappoint as the Pelham Hornets and the Mitchell County Eagles battled for the Region 1- A championship.

The Hornets came from behind, trailing 18-7 in the second quarter, to score 22 unanswered points and beat their cross-county rivals 29-26 in front of a standing-room-only crowd.

The Hornets took advantage of five Mitchell County turnovers during the game, including three fumbles and two interceptions, to keep the Eagles out of the end zone until less than a minute left to play. The Hornet offense was led by freshman quarterback Kendrick Patterson, who completed 11 of 21 passes for 129 yards. He threw for one touchdown and ran for another.

The turnovers started early for the Eagles.

After getting nowhere on their first drive, the Eagles backed up to punt. The snap was fumbled and the Hornets recovered at the seven-yard line. Two plays later, Sophomore running back Malik Mango scored from five yards out. After the PAT kick by Kendrick Patterson, the Hornets led 7-0.

That’s when things started clicking for the Eagles. After a short kickoff and nice return from Freddie Cheevers, the Eagles took over at the 46. A couple of runs by Eagles running back Kobe Butler and the visitors were driving. A pass interference call deep in Hornet territory positioned the Eagles to score on a short run by Anthony McIntyre. The two-point conversion run by Malik Barnes gave the Eagles the lead at 8-7.

On the next possession, the Hornet offense could not move against the Eagles and Patterson stepped back to punt. It was blocked and the Eagles recovered for a safety, giving Mitchell a 10-7 lead.

After the Hornets kicked off following the safety, it didn’t take the Eagles long to move down field. Runs by Kobe Butler and a pass from QB Kentravious Williams to Trevan Walker got Mitchell close. The score came on an 11-yard pass to Rodney Jones. The PAT by Williams put the Eagles up 18-7.

But that was the last time the Eagles scored until the game was almost over. The Hornets roared back in the second quarter. A pass from quarterback Kendrick Patterson to wide receiver Cassius Allen got the Hornets down to the 17 yard line. Patterson raced in for a 16-yard touchdown run right through the middle of the Eagle defense. The PAT pass from Patterson to Treun Pace cut the Eagles lead to 18-15.

The Hornets took the lead they never relinquished on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Patterson to Darrell Starling. The kick by Patterson put the Hornets up 22-18 at halftime.

The Hornets extended their lead on a three-yard run by Kobe Russell. Russell touchdown capped an eight-play, 78-yard drive that was highlighted by a big pass to Allen and strong running from Rusell and Javoris Williams.

The two teams traded turnovers several times in the second half, but the Eagles finally got on the board again with less than two minutes to play. Mitchell tried an onside kick, and tried again after a penalty, but the Hornets got the ball and ran the clock out.

That win closes Pelham’s regular season at 9-1 on the season. It is Pelham’s first season back in Region 1-A after competing recently in AA ball. The Eagles close their season with a 8-2 record. Both schools advance to the state playoffs. The Hornets will be off next week with a first-week bye.