The Mitchell Kernels kicked off the 2026 campaign in impressive fashion, posting two separate shutout victories over the Huron Tigers on August 14. The girls' team surged to a 9‑0 win, while the boys' side edged out Huron 4‑2, each squad establishing early leads that set the tone for the season.
Senior forward Taryn Thomas was the catalyst for the girls' attack, finding the back of the net four times and adding an assist. Her performance helped Mitchell dictate play from the outset, with six of the nine goals arriving before halftime.
Girls' First‑Half Onslaught
Early in the match, Emilie Ellis and Bella Husmann each contributed a goal within the first 20 minutes, pushing the Kernels to a 4‑0 advantage. Addi Hubbard and Katie Stahl added their names to the scoresheet in the second half, extending the lead to the final 9‑0 margin while Malia Reitzel guarded the goal for a clean sheet.
Boys' Early Surge
The boys' team opened with a flurry of goals, capitalizing on a 4‑0 first‑half lead. Noah Kampshoff opened scoring just seven minutes in, followed by Keniel Padilla eight minutes later. Dallas Zimmerman, making his high school debut, struck from outside the six‑yard box, and Kerim Ical capped the half with a long‑range strike.
Despite a second‑half response from Huron, the Kernels held firm to finish 4‑2. The victory marks the sixth consecutive year the girls' program has blanked Huron, underscoring a sustained period of dominance for both squads.
Both teams are scheduled to return to action on August 21, when they host Spearfish in a 4 p.m. matchup that promises another early‑season test for the Mitchell program.