Mitchell High School just missed bagging its first state football championship last Saturday despite starting the season with four losses.

After the early season setbacks, Coach Nathan Cole got the Tigers on the right track. They advanced to the showdown game of the Class 3A Blue Cross Bowl where the season came to a disappointing end at the hands of Knoxville Catholic. Final score: Knoxville Catholic 28; Mitchell 18.

The game was played at Middle Tennessee State University and the Irish drew first blood early in the first quarter. All season long Mitchell has bounced back and that was the case in much of this game.

The Tigers even out-gained Knoxville, which finished with an unblemished 15-0 record.

Mitchell used the ball carrying of Artaves Gibson, who had a game high 191 yards on 21 carries and two touchdowns. Mitchell won the total yards battle, 354 to 310, and Gibson was named the game's offensive Most Valuable Player.

The Irish came up with a game-saving interception as Mitchell was driving for a go ahead score, trailing 21-18. Mitchell's chance for victory was hurt by five turnovers. Knoxville Catholic lost one fumble.

For the Irish, it was the first state gridiron title. Mitchell made its second title game appearance.

The Tigers lost to Nashville David Lipscomb in 2002.