Kiski Area rally falls short as 1st-time varsity starting QB helps Gateway hang on

By: Josh Rizzo
Friday, September 12, 2025 | 10:38 PM

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Gateway freshman quarterback Mayson Mitchell was hoping to lead a drive to close out a game. Instead, Mitchell saw a snap go over his head, forcing him to dive on the ball Friday night at Antimarino Stadium.

While Mitchell, who was making his first varsity start, had ups and downs during the Gators’ 34-31 win over Kiski Area, he showed football IQ to make important plays in big spots.

“I’m getting used to it,” Mitchell said. “It was my first varsity start. There are a lot of learning points. I can only go up from here.”

Gateway (1-3, 1-0) needed Mitchell to fall on that wayward snap to avoid a four-game losing streak to start the season. The Cavaliers had the Gators on the ropes in the fourth quarter.

Mitchell scored on an option keeper less than a minute into the fourth quarter to stretch Gateway’s lead to 34-19.

Kiski responded with two quick touchdowns. Cavaliers quarterback Landyn Artman threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Teegan Shirley and a 31-yard score to Aven Shirley to cut the lead to three points with 6 minutes remaining.

Kiski (1-3, 0-1) had two opportunities to win the game. Gateway forced a three-and-out on the first try and a turnover on downs on the second.

Cavaliers coach Colyn Haugh was proud of how the defense gave them opportunities to win.

“Week-in and week-out, our defense has been playing good football,” Haugh said. “They’ve been doing a lot of good things to help our offense get back on the football field. … We emphasize turnovers and tackling.”

Gators coach Don Holl was relieved to get the win. Gateway turned to Mitchell under center after losing sophomore quarterback Elvis Koutsakis to a season-ending injury.

“It’s been a tough few weeks,” Holl said. “A guy who we expected to have a great year went out with an injury. We played a bunch of tough teams to start the season and got banged up a little bit. It was important we found a way to win.”

The Gators’ defense helped ease Mitchell into the game. Gateway forced a fumble on the opening kickoff, and Jakson Smith recovered it at the Kiski 25.

Three plays later, Kacey Carter took a screen pass from Mitchell 15 yards for a score.

“We tried to give him some things he’s comfortable with,” Holl said. “He’s a bona fide 15-year-old kid. He didn’t expect to be starting games in the section in 2025. He’s a great kid and will do everything he can to help us win.”

Kiski tied the score when Braden Anderson intercepted a Mitchell pass and set the Cavaliers up in Gateway territory. Andrew Finney tied the score on a 9-yard touchdown pass from Mitchell.

Mitchell threw for 253 yards and three touchdowns but was intercepted three times.

Kiski turned two of those interceptions into touchdowns.

Tyree Gowder gave Gateway a lead it would never lose when he caught a 15-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. Shawn Moorefield also scored twice for the Gators.

Aven Shirley scored three touchdowns for Kiski. He intercepted a pass by ripping the ball away from a Gateway receiver before catching a 10-yard touchdown pass from Artman. Artman threw four touchdown passes and had 142 yards through the air.

But Kiski’s extra point was blocked, and the Cavs never took the lead or tied the score after that.

“I think our protection needs to be better,” Haugh said. “That’s the name of the game. You don’t lose games because of one plays or two plays. We had a bunch of them out there.”

Tags: Gateway, Kiski Area