BAKERSVILLE – One look on the north finish zone gave a way of how a lot the Toe River Rivalry meant to each Mountain Heritage and Mitchell this 12 months.
The pine timber that lined the sector, the place the Mountaineers make their entrance and stroll previous the statue of Charlie, had been barren, bent and snapped by the winds that swept by Mitchell County throughout Tropical Storm Helene. It served as a reminder of neighboring Yancey County, which was hammered simply as laborious as Helene’s floods wiped away roads and homes.
In a rivalry recreation made extra highly effective by the destruction every group confronted, Mountain Heritage’s 54-12 win was greater than dominating, and did extra than simply earn them a share of the Western Highlands Convention.
“For our group, it’s huge for them,” junior linebacker Malachi Huskins mentioned. “That’s bragging rights for twelve months.”
Neither county has returned to high school but as repairs in the neighborhood proceed. Friday was the primary evening recreation for both staff since September, including a way that issues can return to regular quickly.
“I forgot how good it felt,” Mountain Heritage coach Joey Robinson mentioned. “Friday evening is superior.”
Mountain Heritage (7-0, 3-0) shut down Mitchell (6-2, 3-1), permitting scores solely on the primary two drives of the second half. Operating again Owen Riddle’s 69-yard rush on the primary play of the second half greater than doubled Mitchell’s complete of 63 first-half yards.
Huskins had a standout day, intercepting Mitchell quarterback Caleb Cook dinner twice and incomes a first-quarter sack to close down Mitchell’s momentum early.
Quarterback Brandon Quinn led the offense to a different high-powered output, tallying 17 carries for 160 yards with 4 touchdowns because the Cougars introduced their factors per recreation as much as 44.
However Mountain Heritage additionally served a reminder that it has loads of items on offense. Junior tight finish Cason Jones scored twice, together with an 85-yard kick return, and working again Lane Chandler and quarterback Braydon Deyton every added a rating.
“Soccer performs, they don’t at all times work the way in which they’re drawn up, but when they do, we’re going to attain as a lot as we would like,” Quinn mentioned. “We’ve bought so many guys, so many weapons out on the sector.”
Now the Cougars have all however clinched the convention title, with only a recreation towards Draughn left to win it outright. It additionally would safe them a excessive seed come playoff time, that means extra probabilities to play at house.
Although Robinson isn’t positive if Mountain Heritage shall be able to host its first playoff recreation on Nov. 15, he thinks there’s an excellent likelihood and mentioned the group desires to return to the sector and is working to make it occur.
“It’ll be terrible good to be again at our place and get to play house video games for the followers and our group,” Robinson mentioned. “Generally there’s nothing extra therapeutic than Friday evening.”
Evan Gerike is the highschool sports activities reporter for the Asheville Citizen Instances. E mail him at egerike@citizentimes.com or observe him on X, previously Twitter, @EvanGerike. Please help the sort of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Instances.
