Mitchell (7-1, 3-0) clinched its first-ever district title with a 21-14 win over Sunlake (7-1, 3-1) and Pasco’s 20-14 victory against Land O’ Lakes. Seahawks also clinched their own playoff spot as the Class 6A, District 6 runner-up.
Mustangs opened the scoring midway through the second quarter with a 5-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Mychael Hamilton one play after a Sunlake low snap on a punt attempt. Later in the quarter, Mitchell drove 82 yards to take a 14-0 lead after junior quarterback Larry Dalla Betta connected with junior wide receiver Mason Castricone on a 43-yard touchdown strike. Sunlake would answer in the last minute of the half by driving 65 yards, helped by a 37-yard yard catch by junior wide receiver Ryan Clark, and ending in a 7-yard touchdown catch by senior wide receiver Nick Valdes from junior quarterback Justin Hall.
Mustangs extended their lead to 21-7 early in the third quarter with a 84-yard scoring drive which included a 60-yard catch and run by Mason Castricone from Larry Dalla Betta and a 6-yard touchdown run by Mychael Hamilton. Seahawks pulled to within 21-14 early in the fourth quarter on a 63-yard scoring drive and a 20-yard touchdown catch and run by junior wide receiver Tony Papas from Justin Hall. Sunlake would get the ball one more time and drive down to the Mitchell 7 yard line after a 50-yard catch and run by Ryan Clark but after 4 incomplete passes the Mustangs would gain possession of the ball and run the remaining 4 minutes off the clock off the legs of Mychael Hamilton and Larry Dalla Betta.
Mitchell’s Mychael Hamilton had 27 carries for 110 yards and two touchdowns, Larry Dalla Betta went 5-for-9 for 134 yards and one touchdown and added 29 rushing yards, and Mason Castricone had 3 catches for 109 yards and one touchdown.
Mustangs defense got a sack from senior linebacker Devontay Taylor and senior linebacker Mike Ovind and senior defensive lineman Matthew Lopez combined on a sack.
Sunlake’s Justin Hall went 16-of-29 for 200 yards and two touchdowns, Ryan Clark had 5 catches for 100 yards, and Nick Valdes had 7 catches for 52 yards and one touchdown.
Seahawks’ sophomore linebacker Adam Jarvis had several tackle-for-losses.
Sunlake played at St. Petersburg (4-4) Friday and Mitchell travels to Land O’ Lakes (3-5).