Bobcats fall to Mitchell in season opener

MITCHELL – The Brookings football team came up short in its season opener on Friday night as the Bobcats lost 28-13 to Mitchell at Joe Quintal Field.

Brookings scored on the first play of the game but the Kernels controlled most of the game after that.

It was Cade Walsh who had a 75-yard touchdown run just 17 seconds into the game for the Bobcats. Ty Johnson tacked on the extra point to make it 7-0.

Mitchell would tie things up with three minutes to go in the first as Brady Hoesing plunged into the end zone from one yard out. The touchdown came on the heels of a blocked punt.

Lawson LeBrun then gave the Kernels the lead near the midway point of the second quarter. He scored on a four-yard run with 6:31 to go in the first half to give Mitchell a 14-7 lead. That lead grew to 21-7 with 1:42 to go in the half as Mason Kempf ran in a seven-yard touchdown. That would be the score at halftime.

Mitchell got the ball first out of the break and the Kernels moved the ball into Bobcat territory. However, the ‘Cats caught a break as Ezra Eidem recovered a fumble. They then moved the ball inside the Mitchell 10 yard line but could not find the end zone as they turned it over on downs.

The 21-7 score would last until the fourth quarter. That’s when Brookings was able to cut into the deficit with a three-yard run from Briggs Archer. The Bobcats elected to go for two and failed, so the score was 21-13 with 8:20 to go.

It didn’t take long for Mitchell to respond as the Kernels scored on their next play from scrimmage. Samari Wright took an 80-yard run to the house and that sealed the deal for Mitchell as the Bobcats were forced to punt on their next possession.

Quarterback Baker Hanson led the Bobcats in rushing with 94 yards on eight carries. Walsh had six carries for 68 yards for the Bobcats. Archer had four carries for 10 yards.

Hanson was also 7-of-15 for 88 yards through the air. Kingston Schneider had two catches for 60 yards.

Mitchell had 295 yards rushing. Wright led the way with 134 yards on four carries. LeBrun had 73 yards on 16 carries. Hoesing was 2-for-5 with 58 yards through the air. He also had 24 yards on the ground.

Brookings will play its home opener next week as the Bobcats welcome Spearfish to Brookings. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium.