Lake Wales Mitchell Cain adjusts to Webber football; area college football team results
It’s been a new experience for Mitchell Cain at Webber International.
The former Lake Wales middle linebacker and defensive end signed a scholarship to play with the Warriors Feb. 8 after a stellar 2021 year for the 9-3 Highlanders: Cain last year averaged 10 tackles a game, putting him second on the team with 110 tackles, while compiling six sacks, 12 quarterback hurries and two interceptions. For this, he was on The Ledger’s 2021 all-county first team.
Cain was also a top weightlifter: In 2021, he racked up first place in traditional in county, first place in traditional and snatch in districts and first place in snatch in regionals.
In both weightlifting and football, Cain was used to being the guy.
This year it’s a little bit different. As a second-string Mike linebacker behind Jalen Williams, Cain is learning a new 3-4 defense. At Lake Wales, he was used to dominating in a 4-3.
The second-string linebacker hasn’t made any plays on the field yet. But most of the time he is taking mental reps, including in Webber’s most recent loss to Cumberland University on Saturday on the road.
Still, Cain said he will be ready should there be an opportunity.
“I will showcase my abilities to represent Lake Wales and Webber by my attitude, my effort, and my perseverance,” Cain said. “Since I am a freshman, I have lots of learning to do. I believe in the coaching staff and the standard they have set. My teammates are true leaders by taking the time to teach me.”
Webber loses close game to Cumberland
Even with a two-touchdown lead late in the third quarter, the Warriors fell short 25-24 after Cumberland ripped off 15 unanswered points.
Cumberland's Corey Johnson rushed for a touchdown just before the third quarter ended.
On the next drive, Webber turned the ball over on downs, which lead to another Cumberland touchdown: Luke Holloway ran for a 19-yard touchdown with 5:23 to play to make the score 24-22 after a failed 2-point conversion.
Webber then went three-and-out, and a bad snap on fourth down led to the punt being blocked by Cumberland's Ismail Abdul Qawe, giving Cumberland the ball on Webber’s 14-yard line.
Cumberland kicker Hunter Mathis hit a 24-yard field with just over two minutes left to seal the deal.
The Warriors made a comeback early. Down 7-0 to Cumberland, Webber quarterback Codey Braden hooked up with receiver Jacob Moss with a 70-yard touchdown pass on the second play of the drive near the end of the first quarter, tying the game at 7-7.
Other scoring plays to put the Warriors out in front were a 70-yard touchdown scramble from running back Terry Weems Jr, and Braden hooking up with receiver Fredrick Curry Jr. on an 11-yard touchdown with just under nine minutes left in the third.
Webber finished the game with 405 yards of total offense. Braden passed for 197 yards and two touchdowns, and Moss had 74 receiving yards with a touchdown.
Southeastern stays undefeated
Even after a weather delay that caused a 35-minute postponement, Southeastern still scored 27 unanswered points in the second quarter to put the game away last Saturday in Savannah, Ga.
Eventually, the Fire blew out Savannah State 34-14 to go 2-0 for the first time in two years.
Southeastern put up 313 yards in total offense, including 188 through the air and 125 on the ground.
Starting quarterback Kaylan Wiggins produced 187 passing yards, 75 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Linebacker Marc Viechec recovered a fumble for a touchdown and tallied eight tackles.
Warner remains winless
Warner was blown out 52-3 at the University of West Florida on Saturday.
The lone score on the Warner side was a 36-yard field goal from kicker Hunter Smith with 7:05 to go in the third quarter.
Up next
Webber (1-1) will take on Atlantis University in a scrimmage 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Warrior Turf Field. Southeastern (2-0) will look to stay undefeated vs. Florida Memorial University 7 p.m. Saturday at Victory Field. And Warner (0-2) looks to win its first game of the season vs. Florida Memorial University 3 p.m. Sept. 17 on the road.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: College football
