By JOHN JAMES MARSHALL, Journal Sports
LOGANSPORT – When Loyola strong safety Alex Mitchell dropped a fairly easy interception opportunity in Friday’s game against Logansport, there was a familiar line delivered by a teammate on the sideline: “That’s why they play defense.”
That’s been said all over the football world at all levels to rib a defensive teammate. Translation: Offensive players can catch, defensive players can’t.
For a defensive player, you never know when a potential interception might come along, so not holding on is sometimes the one chance for glory.
Mitchell’s missed opportunity came in the middle of the third quarter of the Flyers’ 47-12 win, but he didn’t have to wait long for another chance. And when he did, he capitalized.
And capitalized.
And capitalized again.
Mitchell had interceptions to end three of four Logansport possessions in the second half – the other possession was stopped by a 33-yard fumble return by cornerback J.T. Taylor – as the Flyers flexed some defensive muscle in the second half.
“I trust my defense and my defensive coordinator (Sherrod Lewis),” Mitchell said. “He set up a great game plan for us and I trust the guys beside me.”
In Loyola’s defensive scheme, a strong safety is basically the same as outside linebacker, so all three of Mitchell’s interceptions came fairly close to the line of scrimmage.
The first one came late in the third quarter when Mitchell came off a receiver in the flat and made a diving catch that any offensive player would be proud of.
“I saw the quarterback roll out and saw where his eyes were and just dove for it,” Mitchell said.
The second pick came Mitchell disrupted a screen pass and came down with the ball.
“I just jumped it and the ball just kind of fell into my hands,” he said.
On the third, he stepped in front of a receiver, caught it in stride and ended up with a 19-yard return.
He’s the second Flyer in as many seasons to have three interceptions in a game – Carter Ward did it last year – and you don’t need to remind Mitchell that he could have set the school record with four instead of tying it with three.
“Yeah, I know,” he said. “That’s unfortunate. But I’m happy with three.”
His father, Michael, is Loyola’s special teams coach and spent plenty of time celebrating two of the interceptions. “It’s incredible, but I have to be honest — I missed the first one because I was handing the ball back to our kicker,” Michael said. “Thankfully he got two more to make up for it.”
The Loyola defense has seven turnovers in the first two games, but it is the offense that has been getting most of the attention. After a slow start in the first half against Logansport –- Loyola only led 7-6 with two minutes to go in the first half – the Flyers got it cranked up and have now scored 102 points in their first two games. Only the 2010 Flyer team scored more after two games.
Quarterback Bryce Restovich was 22 of 32 for 275 yards and three touchdowns to receivers Jake Black (17 yards), Brock Geter (33) and Ty Walsworth (14). The only starting receiver to not get into the end zone (sophomore Charlie McKenzie) led the team in receptions with eight.
Mason Drake had two rushing scores and Tyler Moore had one for Loyola.
The 2-0 Flyers will be at home Friday to take on Cedar Creek (2-0) for Homecoming.
Contact JJ at johnjamesmarshall@yahoo.com