Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 21, 1995 TAG: 9509210019
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-16 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JAMES. C. BLACK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Well, that last expectation comes from lineman Mike Mitchem but it's only natural for such an athlete to have particularly large goals.
At 6-3, 270 pounds, Mitchem gives opponents something to worry about when facing Cave Spring, especially since the lineman plays on both sides of the ball.
"He gets better and better with every game," said Coach Steve Spangler.
Considering that Mitchem was a unanimous All-District selection and made second team All-Timesland, opponents can't be too pleased. He had 90 tackles for the 6-4 Knights last season.
"His personal goal was to play the best ball he has ever played," said Anne, Mitchem's mom.
So far, the Knights have gotten off to a good start.
Cave Spring has won its first three games, including a 7-6 victory over Northside in the opener and a 14-7 overtime win against Blacksburg last week. The Knights will try to extend their record to 4-0 with a home victory against Heritage on Friday night.
"Right now, we have good team unity and a never-give-up attitude," Mitchem said. "Hopefully, we'll have that attitude through all the games."
But life wasn't always so pleasant for the 17-year-old and his fellow Cave Spring grid iron pals.
"This senior class went through hard times a couple of years ago," Spangler said. "It was hard after the Barbers left."
Tiki and Ronde Barber, who are making names for themselves at Virginia, led the Knights to a 4-6 record their senior year in 1992. Both athletes received All-Timesland honors their final two seasons.
In 1993, however, not only did Cave Spring go 0-10, but Mitchem went out early in the season.
According to the soft-spoken teenager, an opponent weighing 342 pounds landed on his right leg and broke his fibula during a 44-0 loss to E.C. Glass in the second game of the season.
Because of Mitchem's size, Dr. Brent Johnson wasn't sure of the severity of the injury. And once properly diagnosed, Johnson was limited in satisfying the needs of his patient.
"Michael had such a big calf that he [Johnson] didn't have equipment to fit him," said Anne Mitchem, referring to the brace for Mike's right knee. "We had to take him to the Roanoke Orthopedic Supply Company."
And then came perhaps the toughest part of the healing process - sitting.
"It was a very trying time for him," his mom said. According to his mom, Mitchem would go to games and just constantly comment on how he could help the team if he was out on the field.
He had hopes of returning for the last two games, but all parties involved decided the best thing to do was wait for 1993.
What he did participate in was his other sport - track & field.
Mitchem, who has a 3.0 grade-point-average, won the district championship in the shot put in outdoor track in 1993 and also throws the discus.
And though the "gentle giant" is regarded as a dedicated and hard-working person, he has come a long way in a short time.
According to his mother, he played one minute during his first year of football in the seventh grade at Hidden Valley. But a year later, he played on almost every play.
"The coaches [Tom and Joe Dowdy] asked us if we had any idea how much potential he [Mitchem] had," Anne Mitchem said.
Not only was the youngster the team captain, he was also named the MVP at season's end.
And when he played on the freshman team at Cave Spring, the coaches were so impressed with him they offered him a chance to play on the varsity squad. But unlike other athletes, he declined the opportunity.
However, the chance to play with the "big boys" during his sophomore year got Mitchem excited.
"He came home one day and told me he wanted to be a Sizzlin' Sophomore," Anne Mitchem said with laughter. "I said, 'What's a Sizzlin' Sophomore.'"
Mitchem is known as the "miracle child" to his parents. Because of complications, doctors told his parents they wouldn't have any more children after giving birth to his sister Kim.
But 10 years later, Anne Mitchem found herself pregnant again.
Many people have enjoyed Barry and Anne Mitchem's second gift of life.
"He's really a nice guy," said quarterback Jeff Lang.
Lang and Mitchem, along with lineman Jimmy Fusco and linebacker Nathan Manning are captains and have played together since their freshmen seasons.
Mitchem, a family-oriented young man, said he spends a lot of time with his parents. He also spends time with his girlfriend Paige Maze, a Cave Spring cheerleader. The closeness of his family may be a determining factor on where he decides to go to college.
According to Mitchem and Spangler, the lineman has been looked at by several schools in the Southeast.
"He would like to go somewhere close to home," Barry Mitchem said. "But it will come down to the offers he receives."
Another determining factor in his decision could be the advice Mitchem receives from line coach Don Oakes.
"Michael feels like he's his personal mentor. He is the one that has helped sharpen his techniques," Anne Mitchem said.
Oakes, a Virginia Tech alumnus, played in the NFL for the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles.
But no matter what the future holds, Mitchem's church-going parents stress two things.
"We will not tolerate a cocky kid," said Anne Mitchem. "And never forget where your talent and ability comes from and that's God."
by CNB