Mitchell @ East Wilkes
- Thread starter EWCards#1
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I can tell you that Mitchell runs different offenses and defenses depending on what the other team is doing so it is hard to say from week to week what they will line up in. Pretty balanced on offense the qb had 3 rushing tds Friday and 264 passing yards. Mt Airy had a good run defense so we went to the air.
I saw this Mitchell team a couple of years ago when this year's seniors were sophomores. They played Starmount in the 1st Rd. They played the Rams tough for a half. Very similar to East Wilkes playing their young kids up the past few seasons.
Should be another good one in Ronda!! I know the Cardinal athletic program are liking these home gates ($$$$).
Should be another good one in Ronda!! I know the Cardinal athletic program are liking these home gates ($$$$).
Not a lot of us Mitchell posters left on this site as most of our conference posts on the other site the last few years so not a lot of Mitchell talk on here. This is one of our more balanced offenses we've ever had as redy was alluding to. Ben Young is a sophomore qb in his second year as the varsity starter, he has over 2000 yards passing on the season, completes about 60 percent of his passes and has I think 16 tds and 8 ints on the season. Mitchell will use 5 different running backs most games, with Dalton Beaver and Cy Thomas getting the bulk of the carries, both with around 800 yards on the season and the other 3 are in the 300 to 400 yard range, qb Ben Young also has around 700 yards rushing and is a very capable runner but has not had to run much on designed runs this year due to the success the backs have had. There are several good receivers but the standout is Tre Carson, who has around 1000 yards on the season, he is 6'4" and according to last years iwana football preview publication he has been clocked at a 4.4 40. What makes the whole offense go though is the big line with the 2 biggest ones being 6'7" 330 and 6'3" 300, the other 3 are around 240 and strong, and also a good blocking and pass catching tight end at 6'3 225.
The defense is very stout up the middle with most of the same big line playing that side of the ball too. The defense has been a little vulnerable to teams that have enough speed to break contain on the outside, especially athletic quarterbacks. The pass defense is a little suspect at times due to large cushions, but also held the Hendersonville qb who is the leading passer in western North Carolina to just over 100 yards passing, so they can be hit or miss. The defense is anchored by 4 year starter and preseason all state linebacker Dalton Beaver, he is not huge or overly fast, but man he is tough and instinctive.
Sorry for the long description, but that should cover the team for the most part. I'm sure East Wilkes will be one of if not the best team Mitchell has seen this season as there are no pretenders at this point of the season, should be a good game. What can you tell us about the Cardinals this season, I have kept up with them somewhat this year due to having family in Wilkes County I usually read stuff from the Wilkes paper on the local teams, sounds like it has been an awesome season. We actually have a couple of Thanksgiving meals down that way Thursday in the Mulberry/Fairplains area so we're debating on staying the night, but it's really not a terrible drive so we may just make 2 trips.
The defense is very stout up the middle with most of the same big line playing that side of the ball too. The defense has been a little vulnerable to teams that have enough speed to break contain on the outside, especially athletic quarterbacks. The pass defense is a little suspect at times due to large cushions, but also held the Hendersonville qb who is the leading passer in western North Carolina to just over 100 yards passing, so they can be hit or miss. The defense is anchored by 4 year starter and preseason all state linebacker Dalton Beaver, he is not huge or overly fast, but man he is tough and instinctive.
Sorry for the long description, but that should cover the team for the most part. I'm sure East Wilkes will be one of if not the best team Mitchell has seen this season as there are no pretenders at this point of the season, should be a good game. What can you tell us about the Cardinals this season, I have kept up with them somewhat this year due to having family in Wilkes County I usually read stuff from the Wilkes paper on the local teams, sounds like it has been an awesome season. We actually have a couple of Thanksgiving meals down that way Thursday in the Mulberry/Fairplains area so we're debating on staying the night, but it's really not a terrible drive so we may just make 2 trips.
Mitchell is a tough balanced team with many go to players. You won't find one standout player but many very good players with a huge line. Has to be one of the largest lines 1a football if not the largest. They move well too. Go Mounties!
Side note, all of us WHC posters need to venture back over to these parts. This board is better anyway.
Side note, all of us WHC posters need to venture back over to these parts. This board is better anyway.
East Wilkes - I come on here to eat my crow. I never thought you guys would be able to take down Swain. But I am happy to admit it. Also I started getting the feeling later in the week that the game may turn out differently than I thought. Why? Because of reading the articles from your coach on the game. You can tell he makes his kids believe that they can compete and play with anyone. And that's 1/2 the battle right there. So good luck this week. I may ride up and catch this game myself.
Not a real big visitor side. May want to bring a chair just in case. Does Mitchell have any fence walkers?
We have some fans that have walked the fence at away games but it is impossible at home games. I think Mitchell will travel well and have a big crowd so the gate will be good this week.
I've watched some of the video of the East Wilkes games on the Wilkes Journal Patriot site and it has looked like they have had some crowds where people have been standing 4 and 5 deep around the fence and even looked like they had bleachers set up behind the endzones, not sure if these were temporary or always there. I'm sure East will have possibly there biggest crowd ever, and considering Mitchell filled the stands 5 hours away at Whiteville last year for a 2nd round game I would say we will more than fill the stands for an hour and 45 minute drive. Deana I've enjoyed listening to your playoff radio show the last couple weeks, thanks for taking the time to do it, it's a good way to hear about football in other parts of the state we may not get to hear a lot about.
I've spoke to your radio crew that year you played at Starmount. They thought those sophomores would be special. They brought those in for the big game against Wilkes Central.
EW fans, are the bleachers still there around the field?
Thanks I enjoy doing the show!!
EW fans, are the bleachers still there around the field?
Thanks I enjoy doing the show!!
Biggest crowd award goes to the WC and EW crowd, anymore than that and people will need to bring deer stands to watch the game. That game was 3000 plus with 2000 tickets sold and then add in all the passes. Get there early or plan on standing, even with temp bleachers just not enough seats.
Want to wish East Wilkes good luck and tell you the other Cardinals from Pilot Mountain are pulling for you. We need to keep the Western Championship in our area again this year. Should be a packed house in Ronda and Pilot Mountain on Friday. If case any of the Mitchell fans didn't know, East Wilkes and East Surry are separated by about 25 miles. Keep coming up 268 and you will find Pilot Mountain. Once again, Good Luck to East Wilkes!
Would love to see these two teams in the western final. It could be billed as "The Battle of Hwy 268".....lol
I hope the Mitchell players share the same sentiment as their fans from the other site with those score predictions.
Nice to think ahead one week but we, just like y'all, are focused on the task at hand. We both have a tough loaded for bear opponent rolling into our towns this week. When you hit this point of the season a turnover here, a dropped ball there is the difference alot of times.
Mitchell fans,
There is not a more beautiful view in than fall than looking from the visitors side toward the Blue Ridge Mountains. I really miss getting up there once or twice a year.
There is not a more beautiful view in than fall than looking from the visitors side toward the Blue Ridge Mountains. I really miss getting up there once or twice a year.
EW is your flebone/wingbone veer option team. They can throw or eat up clock with the run. The D is solid at all levels and get off blocks and to the ball extremely well. Special teams play is solid too. Not a group of "I" players, they all except their roles and do them very well. Extremely well coached bunch, very disciplined and crisp with what they do.
From reading about the size and strength of Mitchell it sounds as if they will be playing the winner of East Surry / Walkertown. No, this really does seem to be a toss up. One team with a 1 point loss versus an undefeated team. Someone posted that speed to the edge could give Mitchell problems. If that is the case then East should be able to score. Teams that close the middle open the edge and teams that close the edge seem to leave the middle available. Then if a team can close both the middle and the edge the passing game is wide open.
I read in the paper about the over 250 yards in the air you put up against Mt. Airy. That is impressive. Sounds like your team is also balanced. I cannot wait and it is only Monday.
I read in the paper about the over 250 yards in the air you put up against Mt. Airy. That is impressive. Sounds like your team is also balanced. I cannot wait and it is only Monday.
As a Mitchell fan I don't share the score predictions that others do. I think this will be a very physical game that will be decided late. Picked Mitchell by 6 in another thread. Simply because I don't want to pick against them. Don't think folks are giving EW enough credit. Can't go undefeated without being a really good team.
In my opinion, I dont think the size threat is a big deal against our D. We dont have much size but they are strong and very quick off the ball and the blocks. We have been out-sized up front a lot this year and still manage to make big stops and play sound defense. As Real said, we can run it up the middle with the big FB or toss it on a sweep to Devin or Andrew and get outside, or the option as well. I noticed that counter play worked really well against Swain. And of course Bryce can get it done threw the air as well to Jared, Alec and Joah. Should be another good game in Ronda.
Speedy Chef is a favorite. Mazzinis - Italian Restaurant, La Fuente - Mexican Restaurant, China Buffet - Chinese Restaurant, Dodge City Steakhouse, all have great food and are on the N. Bridge Street in Elkin with easy access back to 268.
A couple other eating choices:
222 Public House is in downtown Elkin; sport bar type atmosphere.
John Boys is a poplular spot for the locals breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They have most everything you would expect to find at a local diner. (Note: John Boys and Speedy Chef accept cash only)
222 Public House is in downtown Elkin; sport bar type atmosphere.
John Boys is a poplular spot for the locals breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They have most everything you would expect to find at a local diner. (Note: John Boys and Speedy Chef accept cash only)
I was trying to draw a few of them over here so we could have a logical discussion as to why they say you guys lack focus on D and are going to score at will against a good D. I'm with it being a toss up. We are glad to get to play the teams we read about and do so in Ronda.
Tend to give up big plays every now and then but overall defense has given up points late when Mitchell was way ahead. Picked up some bad habits in those late game situations. As far as scoring on your defense that is why I think it will be a late score by one team or the other. Mitchell is well balanced and will try and take advantage of what EW gives them.
In the four big match-ups for EW (Swain, Wilkes Central, Ashe, and Starmount), EW has only allowed 14 points in the 2nd half. With that said, I expect Mitchell will need to do enough damage in the 1st half in order to win. Is their defense good enough to do that? I'm not convinced they are. EW by 10.
If you're going down 421 from Boone there is a couple good places in Wilkesboro, I like Cagney's kitchen and Tipton's bbq both pretty much right off 421, Cagney's is a little hidden so might have to put it in the gps. A lot of your typical chain restaurants too right along 421. It always seems to me like it's a little quicker to go to Wilkesboro through Boone, but during bad weather and stuff we sometimes will take hwy 18 up from Morganton, but with it being out in East Wilkes may be better to take 40 and 77 up to Elkin.
There is always the good EW concession stand. I plan on coming to this game. Good luck to both teams!!
Yes! Our food is very good! The newest thing they've added is a tenderloin sandwich. We have pizza, nachos, hotdogs, BBQ sandwiches.
Hello Realfreedom, I noticed that you said a team with a 1 point loss vs an undefeated team. Mitchell actually lost their only game by 14. The final was 27 to 41 loss to Mountain Heritage. I wasn't sure if you may have meant a 1 loss team. No big deal just a clarification. Hope both teams play well and injury free.
Also, parking...East does not have the biggest parking areas. There's the upper lot, lower lot, and they've been using the practice field. At the WC game EWCatamount is referring to, there were cars parked up and down hwy 268. It's not the safest place to park. I've noticed people are getting there when the gates open at 5:30.
Someone mentioned 222, that's a great sports bar with good pizza and wings and a pretty good beer selection with lots of craft and oddity beers. The Thai place on Bridge street is good. Shiki's is on the EW edge of town and has good fast Japanese food. The best though is Harry's on the river. It's a small hole in the wall with styrofoam plates and plastic table cloths, but the crab legs and shrimp platters are awesome, though kind of expensive for Elkin. The crab legs aren't all you can eat, though people think they are because it's all you will want to eat, up to 6 clusters. The Ribeye isn't much to look at, but it's very good. The burgers are very good too. Then there's Theo's in Jonesville, just across the river. Decent local Italian, but I've never been to Mazzini's, so I can't compare. More of a family restaurant. Dang, I live in Pilot Mountain and just typing this I can't wait to go to Elkin to eat again. Depends on what you want. Fast? Sports Bar? Cheap? Very good dive? You can find all of those in Elkin.
