A TIMELY PROPOSITION; MITCHELL'S PACT PAYS OFF FOR UNDEFEATED ST. FRANCIS.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Staff Writer

St. Francis High football coach Bill Redell made Brett Mitchell an offer he couldn't refuse. Either agree to show up on time to every meeting and practice, or don't play.

Redell even drew up a contract, stipulating Mitchell would be off the team if he was late or absent just one time, then had the talented wide receiver sign it.

It was an unusual measure, but one Redell felt was necessary. The fact is, the Eagles were counting on Mitchell, a speedy playmaker with a penchant for tardiness. St. Francis had high expectations coming into the season, but the key to success would be commitment. Redell felt an ultimatum was in order for a good kid with a punctuality problem.

``The kid is a great student with a great attitude, he just had a tendency not to be as dependable as you'd like,'' Redell said.

Mitchell took the contract in stride. Whatever he had to do to be part of the team, he'd do.

``I guess they felt there had to be a bottom line, something that said if this happened, then that would happen,'' Mitchell said. ``And that's fine, because I had already made up my mind that I wasn't going to miss or be late to anything.''

And he hasn't.

With the exception of one excused absence Mitchell has been present and on time to every meeting and practice, and his newfound dedication has translated into success on the field. He has forged his way into the Golden Knights' offensive mix, a team-high 21 receptions for 492 yards and five touchdowns. He's also the team's top punt returner.

St. Francis, which has capable receivers in Mitchell, Scott Ray (15 catches, 226 yards), Mark Garcia (14 catches, 254 yards, three TDs), and Kenny Garcia (11 catches, 143 yards, three TDs), two effective running backs in Matt Milton (901 yards, 14 TDs) and Jimmy Knauf (373 yards, eight TDs) and a star quarterback in John Sciarra (1,303 yards, 16 TDs), is undefeated through eight games and ranked No. 5 by the Daily News heading into Friday's Mission League showdown at No. 3 Notre Dame, which is 7-1.

Mitchell is a big reason why.

``I thought he'd be good, but he's even surprised me with how well he's done,'' Redell said. ``And he's worked his fanny off and done everything we've asked him too. He's been a real pleasure.''

Mitchell makes no excuses for keeping his sloppy track of time last year. Coming up through youth football he was the kind of player who didn't need to work as hard as others - his physical gifts were sufficient enough to pull him through at an acceptable level. The cavalier attitude toward practice carried over into high school, but Redell - and Mitchell - recognized it wouldn't be adequate once he reached the varsity team.

In retrospect, Redell really didn't have to say anything at all. Mitchell just looked at the St. Francis roster and saw talent and depth at every skill position.

``Having all that talent around pushed me to play at as high a level as I possibly can,'' Mitchell said.

It also provides Mitchell ample room to operate, since St. Francis opponents must deal with as many as six quality skill people on any given play. With Sciarra pulling the trigger, that puts enormous pressure on a defense.

``It's easier to spread the ball around, and you don't have to worry as much as an individual because there are so many guys that can get the job done,'' Mitchell said. ``I just try to help any way I can, catch everything that comes to me and try to help the team.''

And be on time, of course.

CAPTION(S):

photo

PHOTO St. Francis' Brett Mitchell made a deal with head coach Bill Redell and has more than lived up to his end of it, leading the undefeated Golden Knights receivers with 21 catches for 492 yards and five touchdowns.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer