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Mitcham played a key role in Cougars’ turnaround
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| Cy Creek junior wide receiver Brent Mitcham (26) runs back a kickoff return in the third quarter. |
By Michael Sudhalter
Brent Mitcham remembers what it was like playing for a football team that won just twice in 10 games.
The Cy Creek junior wide receiver could see it reflected in the mood of his classmates on campus.
"They used to say we’re going to lose and (they had) a bad demeanor about the team.” Mitcham said.
Things changed for both Mitcham and the Cougars this fall. Mitcham, who started at running back as a sophomore, was moved to the receiver slot, where he caught 48 passes for 917 yards and five touchdowns in nine games.
The change paid off the for the Cougars (8-2), who won their first district championship in three years.
Even though Cy Creek lost to Klein Oak (9-1), 49-21 in the second round of the Class 5A Division II playoffs last Saturday at the Berry Center, Mitcham’s performance was extraordinary. He made seven catches for 172 yards and a touchdown.
Cougars coach Greg McCaig said Mitcham's impact in the turnaround has been huge this season.
“We wanted to get the ball to him out in space," McCaig said. “When we get back in our two-back set, we have him and Jermichael (Selders) in the same set. We can move him around the field.”
McCaig said Mitcham did all of the legwork to make the transition from running back to receiver.
“In the offseason, he does the work you have to do to get prepared," McCaig said. "He does a good job, does everything we ask him to do.”
Mitcham, 17, said he enjoys playing receiver more than running back.
"I feel like I fit the part better than I did running back," Mitcham said. "I go in the backfield, too, at times but I like receiver better.”
He said the entire team committed to improving during the offseason, so the results are not a surprise to them.
"We knew we could go out there and work that much more harder," Mitcham said. "We had to work all the way up to the top.”
Playing in an offense that averaged nearly 500 yards per game is something Mitcham will remember for a while.
“We score so many points and get so many chances," he said. "It’s a fast-paced offense, we keep going on them down after down.”
Some of his favorite memories are off the field, like when the Cougars scored key victories over fellow offensive juggernaut Cy Woods and defending district champion Cy Ridge.
"Everybody was pumped up, and the whole bus ride home everyone was having a fun time," Mitcham said. "People who never talk were yelling ‘yeah’ and cheering and everything. That was a special time.”
“We wanted to get the ball to him out in space. When we get back in our two-back set, we have him and Jermichael (Selders) in the same set. We can move him around the field.”
Cy Creek coach Greg McCaig on the versatility of junior wide receiver Brent Mitcham
The Cy Creek junior wide receiver could see it reflected in the mood of his classmates on campus.
"They used to say we’re going to lose and (they had) a bad demeanor about the team.” Mitcham said.
Things changed for both Mitcham and the Cougars this fall. Mitcham, who started at running back as a sophomore, was moved to the receiver slot, where he caught 48 passes for 917 yards and five touchdowns in nine games.
The change paid off the for the Cougars (8-2), who won their first district championship in three years.
Even though Cy Creek lost to Klein Oak (9-1), 49-21 in the second round of the Class 5A Division II playoffs last Saturday at the Berry Center, Mitcham’s performance was extraordinary. He made seven catches for 172 yards and a touchdown.
Cougars coach Greg McCaig said Mitcham's impact in the turnaround has been huge this season.
“We wanted to get the ball to him out in space," McCaig said. “When we get back in our two-back set, we have him and Jermichael (Selders) in the same set. We can move him around the field.”
McCaig said Mitcham did all of the legwork to make the transition from running back to receiver.
“In the offseason, he does the work you have to do to get prepared," McCaig said. "He does a good job, does everything we ask him to do.”
Mitcham, 17, said he enjoys playing receiver more than running back.
"I feel like I fit the part better than I did running back," Mitcham said. "I go in the backfield, too, at times but I like receiver better.”
He said the entire team committed to improving during the offseason, so the results are not a surprise to them.
"We knew we could go out there and work that much more harder," Mitcham said. "We had to work all the way up to the top.”
Playing in an offense that averaged nearly 500 yards per game is something Mitcham will remember for a while.
“We score so many points and get so many chances," he said. "It’s a fast-paced offense, we keep going on them down after down.”
Some of his favorite memories are off the field, like when the Cougars scored key victories over fellow offensive juggernaut Cy Woods and defending district champion Cy Ridge.
"Everybody was pumped up, and the whole bus ride home everyone was having a fun time," Mitcham said. "People who never talk were yelling ‘yeah’ and cheering and everything. That was a special time.”
“We wanted to get the ball to him out in space. When we get back in our two-back set, we have him and Jermichael (Selders) in the same set. We can move him around the field.”
Cy Creek coach Greg McCaig on the versatility of junior wide receiver Brent Mitcham
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