BACKYARD BRAWL LIVES UP TO ITS NAME

By: Crystal “Crissy” Daniels

  The 3rd annual Backyard Brawl between county rivals Mitchell County Eagles and the Pelham Hornets was just that, a brawl.  Well, a defensive brawl that is.  The defense for both Mitchell and Pelham were stellar throughout the night, but someone had to win the game and Mitchell did just that with a score of 13-0.
  The condition of the field wasn't the best due to a downpour of rain before the 7:30 p.m. kickoff.  Pelham kicked off to the Eagles to start the game but the Eagles fumbled on the return.  Anthony Hines recovered the ball for the Hornets giving Pelham prime field position on Mitchell’s 22 yard line.  The Hornets were able to get the ball inside the 10 yard line with runs by quarterback Clarence Almond and running backs, Denzel Jackson, Desmond Parker and Brandon Smith, but were pushed back twice due to penalties.
Both teams couldn't produce on the offensive side of the ball because the defense was standing their ground.  The Eagles began to move the ball down the field with runs from Jaquan Williams and Tremel Emmanuel.  Williams ran for a 55 yard rush TD as the buzzer sounded to end the 1st quarter.  The extra point was good, giving Mitchell County a 7-0 lead.
  The Hornets tried to draw the Eagles defense offside on 4th down after going 3 and out.  Mitchell didn't take the bait and the Hornets decided to punt the ball.  The Eagles drove the down with 1st down runs from KJ Pollard, Anfreenee Williams and Emmanuel, putting the Eagles offense in scoring position at the 2 yard line.  Quarterback Troy Chester capped the drive off with a 2 yard TD run.  The extra kick was blocked by a Pelham defender leaving the score 13-0, Mitchell County.
  The offense came to a standstill in the 2nd half as neither team could move the ball.  Pelham managed to get into the red zone twice but could not score due to a personal foul on the offense and an end zone stand by the Eagles defense when the Hornets had the ball on the one yard line.
  Overall the Backyard Brawl was a defensive battle.  The Hornets forced the Eagles to fumble 3 times, while the Eagles forced the Hornets to cough up the ball 4 times.  Mitchell County’s head coach, Larry Cornelius said after the game, “It was an ugly win.  I will take an ugly win over a pretty loss any day of the week.  I’m proud of the boys.  This win told me that they were focused.  They played with a warm heart and cool mind.”
  Both teams will have a home game this Friday, Mitchell against Albany, while Pelham takes on Mitchell County.

GAME NIGHT!!!

BACKYARD BRAWL

Mitchell County Eagles

versus

Pelham Hornets

County rivals Mitchell County Eagles and the Pelham Hornets take to the football field tonight for the 3rd annual Backyard Brawl.  The Eagles have won the previous two Backyard Brawls and the Hornets are looking to change that tonight with renewed strength and vigor.  The game takes place tonight at the Hornet Stadium in Pelham, at 7:30 P.M.  Good luck to both teams!!!