Junior Tadd Mitchell was named ‘Clutch Player’ by Vision Sports Media after his performance on November 14th at the CIF Open Division Playoff Game against rival La Costa Canyon. Mitchell made a game-winning pic to secure the Lancer victory in the fourth quarter.
Lancer Link: Why was this rivalry game such a must-win for the team?
Mitchell: Mainly for the seniors, because we lost to them the first time and we lost to them last year so we really didn’t want to lose again. We just gave it all.
Lancer Link: What was the team’s game plan going in, and how well did it work?
Mitchell: Definitely different than the first time. We came in with healthy players like Rocky and Ashawn. Our headspace, as in no matter what point in the game, no matter what the score is, just keeping the same energy and effort.
Lancer Link: What adjustments did you make at halftime to shift momentum?
Mitchell: There wasn’t really any adjusting, just keep doing what we were doing. We knew we could still win the game, we knew we were still in it so just keeping the same effort and going hard the whole game. We didn’t let the score get in our heads, just be ourselves and we knew we were better than then, we got better athletes so we just do what we do.
Lancer Link: Was there a specific moment when you felt the game shift in your favor?
Mitchell: The whole second half when they didn’t score at all, LCC not scoring then us scoring on offence helped a lot.
Lancer Link: Who stepped up as a leader during the most pressure-filled moments?
Mitchell: I feel like all of us were leaders, none of us got down. All of us just kept high spirits and helped each other out.
Lancer Link: Was there an unexpected standout player who made a crucial impact?
Mitchell: Lowkey, shoutout Seth Patton, d-lineman. He had a big impact on the run game. He did really well.
Lancer Link: What play or decision do you think changed the outcome of the game?
Mitchell: Just us going on offence while we were shutting them down on defence. Our defence was able to respond and shut them down.
Lancer Link: How did the seniors influence the team’s energy and determination?
Mitchell: The seniors on our team were just really good leaders, captains, Eli [MacNeal], Nathan [Allen], Chase [Harris], Rocky [Cummings]. They are incredible leaders and they always keep high spirits for the team.
Lancer Link: What were the emotions like going into such a high-stakes rivalry game?
Mitchell: Just a ‘must win’ [mentality]. There was a lot on the line, our season on the line, reputation on the line. It was a ‘must win’ game.
Lancer Link: How did the team handle nerves or pressure before kickoff?
Mitchell: We just came in with big energy, realizing what was on the line. Not only did we not want to lose to LCC but if we win we go to open [division championships].
Lancer Link: What was your reaction in the final moments when victory was sealed?
Mitchell: I was hyped. Not only for the reason that we just beat LCC but also because we’re going to the open championship.
Lancer Link: What did this win mean personally to you?
Mitchell: I really just felt like that game I really proved myself a lot and just the hard work I put in.
Lancer Link: How did the rivalry affect the intensity of the game?
Mitchell: Man, it makes it 20,000 times more intense going into that game. They don’t like us, we don’t like them. You know, they talk on the field, I like to let my game respond, I don’t talk with my mouth.
Lancer Link: What role did the student section and crowd energy play in the win?
Mitchell: I think it played a big role, to be honest, like a huge role. Us being down we still see the away side packed out, chanting, it gave us motivation to clear out the game. They came all the way out here to support us, it was motivational.
Lancer Link: Was there anything unique or memorable about the atmosphere that night?
Mitchell: Yeah, definitely, the student section for real because it was a crazy crowd to have for us at an away game, it just felt different.
