Andrews – In the post-game huddle Friday night, Wildcats head coach James Phillips told his team, "This is the biggest win for this program … in decades."
It is hard to argue that logic.
Andrews (3-0) has put the entire 1A classification on notice, following a 26-14 win over the then-No. 1 ranked Mitchell Mountaineers (2-2) at Hugh Hamilton Stadium. Afterward, the Wildcats were ranked a historically high No. 3 in 1A across the state, according to MaxPreps, while Mitchell dropped to No. 4.
"I said it last week: these kids, they're special," Andrews head coach James Phillips said. "They are a tough, tight group of kids. I'm proud for our program; this is one of those signature wins that we need against a championship-level team.
"We've proven – at least right now – that we deserve to be in that conversation."
The Cats' defensive line and interior gave Mitchell fits all night, forcing the visitors to go 3-and-out three times and holding steady on two fourth-down conversion attempts.
Mitchell temporarily held the lead in the first quarter, edging ahead 7-6 on a 15-yard Carter Hoyle run and Ben Weissinger extra point. Quarterback Ty Turbyfill scored on a third-quarter keeper – cutting the Wildcats' lead to seven after the extra point – and Dalton Hollifield picked off a pass in the fourth.
However, Andrews' resiliency was on full display, despite the hiccups. The Mountaineers found most of its success in the air, though quarterback Ty Turbyfill did get picked off twice: a 23-yard interception return for a touchdown by junior defensive back Cole Anderson late in the third quarter, and the victory-sealing nab by Kaden Edwards in the closing seconds of regulation.
"We needed that pick 6,” Phillips said.
Though Mitchell was able to hold Isaac Weaver – who had four touchdowns versus North Buncombe, and 136 yards against Mitchell – scoreless, fullback Austin Martin stepped up and stormed his way to 141 rushing yards on 28 carries. Martin scored the first two Andrews touchdowns of the game, with quarterback Donovan Bateman accounting for the Cats other cross across the threshold on a keeper in the second segment.
"I leaned heavy on Austin to carry the load," Phillips said. "Donovan did a great job; he made good throws all night. They were right on the money."
The Wildcats look to keep the momentum going this Friday, when they travel to Brevard (1-2). Kickoff against the 2A Blue Devils is at 7:30 p.m.
"We'll enjoy this and get back to it," Phillips said. "Brevard's tough. This is one of those COVID things; we lost a game, and this was supposed to be our bye week coming up, but I want these kids to play. I couldn't let them set a week, especially after tonight."