Despite coming off a huge win last week, Polk County High School’s football team is not taking Mitchell for granted, as the Wolverines host the Mountaineers at Homecoming this Friday, Oct. 11.

Opening kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. Polk, which has won its last four games, is 4-3 overall, and 2-0 in conference play.

“Mitchell (1-5 overall, and 0-1 in the conference) has beaten us two of the last three years,” said Polk head coach Bruce Ollis. “We’re 10-1 in Homecoming (games) in the last 11 years,” he added.

The lone loss was to Mitchell.

“It’s a team that always plays us tough,” continued Ollis. “We respect them.”

Last year, Mitchell made it to the Western Regional final.

“We’re still very concerned about them,” Ollis added. He recognized the importance of playing well at a homecoming game. “It’s (also) a conference game.”

With the Wolverines scoring 80 points against an otherwise tough Mountain Heritage team last week, Ollis knows what can happen if players are not careful.

“One thing you have to guard against after a big win, is complacency,” he cautioned. “We’re working just as hard this week as we did the previous week, and the week before.”

“They’re a very young team,” Ollis said of Mitchell. However, Wolverine players will have to contain the Mountaineers’ Oscar Cruz (No. 4), an excellent running back, and the visitors’ go-to receiver, Tre Carson (No. 30). Polk’s offensive line will also have to protect quarterback Reece Schlabach and their running backs from Alston Chance (No. 55), a six-foot-three-inch, 280-pound defensive lineman.

Of Schlabach, Ollis said, “He’s getting better every game. He’s getting more confidence being quarterback. His leadership qualities have improved since he became quarterback.”

Schlabach leads all Wolverines with 501 rushing yards, while passing for 1,037 yards and six touchdowns. Anthony Carson has caught 36 passes for 576 yards and five TDs.

This is fans’ last chance to watch the Wolverines at home until Senior Night on Nov. 8, when Hendersonville comes to town. Ollis’ squad visits Avery on Oct. 18, has an open date on Oct. 25, and is at Owen on Nov. 1.

“I’m hoping that the fans remember us while we’re on the road,” said Ollis.