Five things to know as Polk County travels to Ledger to face Mitchell in a Western Highlands Conference matchup kicking off at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Polk County fell 17-14 to Owen; Mitchell dropped a 34-7 decision to Hendersonville.
ENDING THE DROUGHT: Polk County will be looking to snap a six-game losing streak in the series with Mitchell.
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The Wolverines haven’t defeated the Mountaineers since 2014, a 40-14 victory. Mitchell has dominated the series since then, including a 28-0 playoff win in November 2019, the last meeting between the schools.
The teams did not play in the COVID-delayed 2020 season after COVID struck one of the squads. Friday’s matchup will mark the renewal of a series that has been anything but kind to the Wolverines in recent years.
MILESTONE MAN: Polk County senior Loreynzo Sanchez reached a significant achievement last week against Owen, becoming the first Wolverine running back to surpass 1,000 yards in a season since 2022.
Sanchez has been a workhorse for the Wolverines, carrying the ball 140 times for 1,086 yards and nine touchdowns. He’s also proven versatile in the passing game, catching 11 passes for 141 yards and a score.
Mitchell’s defense will have its hands full trying to contain Sanchez, who has been the engine driving Polk County’s offense all season.
DUAL-THREAT DANGER: Mitchell quarterback Owen Riddle presents a unique challenge for the Polk County defense with his ability to hurt opponents both through the air and on the ground.
Riddle has completed 20 of 51 passes for 331 yards and two touchdowns, though he’s thrown nine interceptions. But it’s his legs that may pose the greater threat – he’s rushed 55 times for 416 yards and five touchdowns.
Riddle is part of a balanced Mitchell rushing attack that also features Kaj Pitman (57-489, 4 TDs) and Hayden Webb (40-327, 3 TDs). The Mountaineers have been run-heavy this season, and keeping Riddle contained in the pocket will be crucial for the Wolverines.
NEW SURFACE: Polk County will experience Mitchell’s upgraded facilities for the first time Friday night.
The Mountaineers installed artificial turf in 2022, a project that included adding more than 6,000 cubic feet of dirt to level the field with its track. This will mark Polk County’s first trip to Ledger since the improvements were completed.
The new surface should provide excellent footing for both teams, which will be a plus if rain showers should fall during the game.
BLACKWELL’S BREAKOUT: Polk County junior Styler Blackwell has emerged as a two-way star for the Wolverines this season.
Offensively, Blackwell leads the team with 14 receptions for 295 yards and four touchdowns, serving as quarterback Brody Wilkins’ primary target. Wilkins has completed 36 of 62 passes for 525 yards and seven touchdowns this season.
But Blackwell’s impact extends beyond the passing game – he also leads Polk County in tackles with 44, more than a dozen ahead of Zalen McCraw’s 31. Mitchell will need to account for Blackwell on both sides of the ball.
