Burn Ban in Effect. All outdoor burning is prohibited in Franklin County.
The Mount Vernon Tigers traveled to New Boston on Friday night and secured a 43-16 victory over the New Boston Lions, improving their season record to 2-0.
In the first quarter, the Tigers took an early lead with a 9-yard touchdown from senior Brycen Fountian. Junior Jackson Gray hooked up with senior Brayden Baker for the 2-point conversion, and Mount Vernon had an 8-0 lead. Later in the first quarter, Gray connected with senior Hunter Carroll on a 54-yard touchdown. The Tigers converted the 2-point try for a 16-0 lead. Gray and Carroll finished out the first quarter with a 37-yard touchdown as the clock expired. Gray added 2 points, and the Tigers held a 24-0 lead as the second quarter began.
“Being able to jump out to an early lead like that puts our offense in a great rhythm and gives our defense the confidence to play aggressively, knowing we can score when we have the ball,” said Mount Vernon head coach and athletic director Travis McClain.
New Boston worked their way onto the scoreboard in the second quarter to cut the lead down to 24-8. On the next possession, Fountain broke free for a 25-yard touchdown, but the Tigers failed to add the extra point. At halftime, Mount Vernon was up 30-8.
Both teams struggled to find traction in the third quarter. However, near the end of the quarter, Tigers junior Kolter Silman picked off a Lions pass and returned it to the end zone to push the lead to 36-8. After turning over the ball four times last week, the Tigers forced three turnovers without giving up the ball to the Lions. “Zero turnovers this week was a huge win for us after the North Lamar game. The ball is the name of the game, so I was proud of our kids for taking great care of it on offense and getting it back on defense,” McClain said.
New Boston started the fourth quarter with a touchdown drive to cut the lead to 36-16. Gray connected again with Baker for a 24-yard touchdown to finish out the 43-16 win.
Mount Vernon brings their 2-0 record home next week for a matchup against the 1-1 Blue Ridge Tigers. The Labor Day holiday shifts the school schedule from Monday to Thursday to Tuesday through Friday this week. In addition, Mount Vernon will celebrate Homecoming this week. Coach McClain recognizes the shifts this week brings. “As much as we love routine as coaches, change is inevitable. We will make our adjustments and get our work in to make sure we are prepared come game time,” he said.
“Homecoming is a great weekend of tradition and community for the Mount Vernon faithful, and we are excited to do our part in the week's festivities and take care of the game!”
He hopes the community shows up and shows out to help make the game an experience. “We will need our fans to show up early, wear purple, and be Loud! Go Tigers!” he said.
Mount Vernon and Blue Ridge kick off at 7:30 on Friday night at Don Meredith Stadium.
