Wiregrass Ranch piles up the points in win over district foe Mitchell: 3 takeaways

Army commitment Luke Knight tossed four touchdowns in the win for Wiregrass Ranch

WESLEY CHAPEL, FLORIDA- Last week's 34-28 nail biter of a loss to Zephyrhills could have been something that lingered with Wiregrass Ranch for awhile. 

Problem is, Bulls head coach Mark Kantor won't allow anything like that to fester within his squad for too long. 

In Wiregrass Ranch's first district game of the season, offensive fireworks went off between the Bulls and Mitchell Mustangs. The two Class 4S, District 6 teams combined for 954 yards of offense and the Bulls would roll to a 55-34 victory over the Mustangs. 

Needing to bounce back from last week's loss, Wiregrass Ranch made sure they wasted no time in showing they wouldn't be denied a win in its district opener. The Bulls scored the game's opening touchdown on a 15-yard strike from Luke Knight to wide receiver Isaiah Riggins. 

It was off to the scoring races from there for each team as they combined for 89 points on the night. We dive in and give you three takeaways from the contest.

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Wiregrass Ranch will lean on its offense on most nights

Most teams want to rely on their defense to save the day because of offensive inconsistencies. Not Wiregrass Ranch (2-1). 

The Bulls want to put the pressure on their offense to win games every Friday night and that's because they've seemingly answered the bell every time out. 

This Wiregrass Ranch offense is averaging 39.6 points per game behind the play of Army commitment Luke Knight under center. Knight completed 17-of-28 passes for 356 yards and four touchdowns against Mitchell. He got some help from his supporting cast as well.

Running back Jeremiah Julmiste rushed for 122 yards, two touchdowns and Riggins notched six catches for 135 yards and three scores. If the Bulls are going to rely on a unit, it'll be their offense they bet on.

Bulls-Mustangs has become a must watch every year

If there's a game that's becoming more and more intriguing every year on the North Suncoast, it's this Mitchell-Wiregrass Ranch one. 

Not just for the talent that's involved or the superb coaching, but just how it's transformed into this cross county rivalry between the schools. '

Last year's game was one-sided with the Mustangs running away with it 50-6 and in 2021 the Bulls edged out the boys from Trinity in a muddy affair 21-6. No matter the year, especially the last four, these two teams are providing entertaining football. 

It also helps when both teams are playoff and district title contenders as well. 

We can't emphasize how talented Mitchell will be in 2025-26

Though the Mustangs (2-2) lost, the youth movement going on over at Mitchell will pay off dividends. 

Players like Cayden Thomas, Bryce Backus and Corey Simms have shined this season for Mitchell. All three provide what is the core of this Mustangs' offense. 

Friday night was another example of why. Thomas finished the night completing 17-of-25 passes for 211 yards and his favorite target was Backus, who caught nine receptions for 141 yards. Simms had a big night on the ground, finishing with 215 yards on 24 carries. 

When you have a core group of Thomas-Backus-Simms, it's a bright future for Mitchell the next couple of years. 

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-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl