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North Suncoast Game of the Week: Mitchell 42, Pasco 27

 
Mitchell High School's Mychael Hamilton (11) eludes the Pasco High School defense during first quarter of Friday's (10/2/15) game with Mitchell High School at Pasco in Dade City.
Mitchell High School's Mychael Hamilton (11) eludes the Pasco High School defense during first quarter of Friday's (10/2/15) game with Mitchell High School at Pasco in Dade City.
Published Oct. 3, 2015

DADE CITY — Early in the third quarter, Mitchell's Mychael Hamilton took the handoff, cradled the ball and paused.

Resisting the urge to bolt past the offensive line, Hamilton waited a moment for a pulling guard to deliver a block.

An instant later, the block completed and his patience rewarded, Hamilton was gone.

He scampered past two Pasco defenders and into the end zone for a touchdown that tied the score at 21.

Hamilton rushed for a career-high 252 yards on 25 carries and scored five touchdowns — three in the third quarter— as the Mustangs broke open a close game for a 42-27 win in a key Class 6A, District 6 matchup.

"Mychael is a great running back," Mitchell coach Andy Schmitz said. "He's not just a great athlete who is running the ball. He has tremendous vision and patience and is smart. He's played a big role for us."

Since a loss to River Ridge in the season opener, Mitchell (4-1, 2-0) has won four straight. The Mustangs have done it with a high-powered attack that includes quarterback Larry Dalla Betta and receivers JJ Lewis and Dominic Fiumara.

But Mitchell's success is mostly due to Hamilton.

At times Friday night, it took as many as five Pirates to bring him down.

Hamilton, at 6 feet, 170 pounds, has rushed for more than 100 yards in each of the Mustangs' four wins.

Waiting for a pulling lineman is no big deal for Hamilton, a sophomore who only had three varsity carries last season while waiting for his chance to take over as a featured back this season.

It didn't take long for Hamilton to make a difference against Pasco (3-3, 0-1).

On the opening possession, the Pirates' Jakiah Felder scored on an 8-yard run. Mitchell answered as Hamilton scored his first touchdown on a 13-yard run.

Pasco seized momentum for most of the first half with Mike Penix hitting Felder on a 30-yard touchdown pass and Javion Hanner scoring on a 23-yard run for a 21-7 lead.

Hamilton scored again on a 3-yard run late in the second quarter to cut the deficit to 21-14 at the half.

In the third quarter, the Mustangs had everything go their way. They recovered a fumble and picked off a pass. All three turnovers resulted in scores. In all, Mitchell outscored Pasco 28-0 in the third quarter.

Hamilton had three scores in the quarter on runs of 14, 40 and 4 yards. Dalla Betta hit Lewis on a 15-yard touchdown pass for the other score.

"We didn't panic when we were behind," Schmitz said. "We got some momentum in the third quarter and were able to pull through. It was a big win for us, but they're all big when they're in the district."

The Pirates never recovered.

It was until the final two minutes Pasco scored again on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Penix to Jason Nall.

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After starting the season 3-0, the Pirates have lost three straight and most likely need a win against undefeated Sunlake in two weeks to keep their playoff hopes alive.