2 weeks Ago
Ascension Episcopal's defense celebrates a stop during the Blue Gators' road win over Abbeville on Friday. Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save ABBEVILLE - Playing on the same field where his dad made his mark on high school football a generation ago, Ascension Episcopal's Branon Mitchell had a night reminiscent of his father as the younger Mitchell had a touchdown rushing and passing as the Blue Gators scored 24 third quarter points to pull away and beat Abbeville, his dad's alma mater, 38-14 Friday night in a non-district game. "It's kind of strange playing on the same field that he played on," Mitchell said after the Gators improved to 3-0 on the season.
"I'm always nervous when I start a game because I'm playing a new position," Mitchell said, referring to the fact that his is playing quarterback this year after spending last season as receiver. "I just have to believe in my line and trust that my receivers will be open." He did a good job at both Friday as Mitchell ran for 55 yards and threw for 77 yards for the Gators in the win.
"Three games into being a starter I'm doing pretty good but I'm still nervous," Mitchell said. "Between running the ball and throwing the ball I like throwing it because last year I was a receiver and I want to give the ball to them and shared the wealtj amd ;et tje, score the touchdowns." The other player who had a good night for the Gator was senior uke Curry, who scored a defensive touchdown to open the third quarter to put the Gators up 21-6 to give AES some much-needed breathing room in the game.
"We came out with energy in the second half because we are a big second half team," Curry said. "The came out on had a little toss pitch and our outside linebacker hit the guy and Jarred the ball loose and I recognized it was behind the ball line. "Everyone thought the play was dead But I knew it was behind the line so I picked up the ball and ran it in for the score.
"It was great to get my first touchdown and give us some momentum coming out of halftime." Curry's touchdown gave the Gators a 21-0 lead at that point which proved to be important because Abbeville scored on the next series to cut the lead to 21-6. "That touchdown coming out of halftime was big," AES coach Stephen Hearen said.
"If we don't have that score and they come and score against us, it's a one score game and could go either way. So that defensive touchdown was huge and we still had a two-score lead even after they scored on the next drive." The win over a bigger class school was also huge for the Gators.
"We knew that they were going to come out fast, play hard and be physical. So to come out and get a win up in classification is always big. "When you are putting a schedule together and play up in class and get that win it's always big because you know the (power) points are going to be huge.
" Hearen was also happy about starting 3-0. "These seniors and juniors were sophomores and freshmen two years ago when we were in the exact opposite position," Hearen said, referring to the 0-4 start in 2022. "To be 3-0 now is huge and a good spot to be in.
" Abbeville fell to 0-3 on the season..
