Mitchell quarterback Cayden Thomas accounts for six TDs in win over Hudson

The rising sophomore debuts for the Mustangs and nearly totaled 300 yards of offense

HUDSON, FLORIDA- Every single off-season heading into a spring and new campaign brings new questions. 

In Pasco County, a lot of them surround when exactly will the Mitchell Mustangs’ reign over the east side of the area come to an end? After exiting out of the Class 4S playoffs last season in a 47-10 loss to the eventual state champion Lakeland Dreadnaughts, it looked like Mitchell would have a big void at the game’s most important position: quarterback. 

After Thursday’s spring game against Hudson, those question marks were laid to rest. Enter Cayden Thomas, who accounted for six total touchdowns in leading the Mitchell to a 46-34 win over Hudson. 

If there was any doubt to Thomas’ abilities to replace last year’s starter Chris Ferrini, he eased everyone over in Trinity in the opening minutes of the game. Thomas found a wide open Bryce Backus (five catches, 143 yards) on a 80-yard touchdown strike that put Mitchell up 8-0 just a minute into the contest. 

Hudson has a chance to force a 3-and-out to start, but a blown coverage on 3rd Down leads to an 80-yard TD pass from Cayden Thomas to Bryce Backus. Mitchell leads Hudson 8-0 with 11:11 remaining in the 1st Quarter. @Andy_Villamarzo @PascoCountyFB pic.twitter.com/P1xSSqD8lB

— Alejandro Tamayo (@AlexTamayo22) May 25, 2023

The Mustangs started off sizzling in the first period as Thomas found Backus open once again, this time on a 24-yard toss to put Mitchell up 16-0. After Hudson forced a turnover on a Thomas interception, the Cobras would cash in and score their first touchdown on a 7-yard James Conley run. 

Hudson would take advantage of another turnover and capitalize with a 28-yard Logan Shawell touchdown run to tie things up at 16-all. That’s when the Mustangs would begin pulling away after that. 

With 9:08 left in the second quarter, Thomas scored on his first of four touchdowns on the ground when he scampered 46 yards to pay dirt to put the Mustangs ahead 22-16. Thomas added another touchdown run just before halftime and had Mitchell leading at intermission 28-16. 

The Cobras had trouble stopping the legs of Thomas arguably more so than through the air, with the signal caller rushing for a team-high 86 yards on eight attempts. Thomas finished the game completing 9-of-16 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns. 

With just under three minutes left in the third period, Thomas was at it again and scored touchdown run No. 4 on the night, an 18-yarder. The touchdown put Mitchell ahead comfortably 46-16 and never looking back. 

Another TD run for Cayden Thomas on this 1-yarder. With 4:49 remaining in the 3rd Quarter, Mitchell leads Hudson 34-16. @Andy_Villamarzo @PascoCountyFB @FlaHSFootball pic.twitter.com/Jsgu5uVkeP

— Alejandro Tamayo (@AlexTamayo22) May 26, 2023

On the other side of the spectrum, one of the county’s leading passers from the 2022 season on the North Suncoast somewhat struggled to find his groove. Hudson signal caller Riley Blevens was 14-of-28 for 158 yards and one interception. Conley led all Hudson ball carriers with 71 yards on six carries and Shawell ended with 52 yards on 10 touches. Hudson wide receiver AJ Mcfarlane finished the evening hauling in five receptions for 56 yards. 

On the night, Mitchell’s varsity ended up out-gaining Hudson’s 322-278 in total offensive yards. The Mustangs (Class 4S, District 6) and Cobras Class 2S, District 11) are both coming off seasons as respective district runner-ups, but will be district championship contenders when the fall season rolls around. 

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.