Burn Ban in Effect. All outdoor burning is prohibited in Franklin County.
The Mount Vernon Tigers notched a 22-21 homecoming win over the Blue Ridge Tigers on Friday night at Don Meredith Stadium.
Blue Ridge took a first-quarter lead with an 11-yard touchdown pass, but the extra-point attempt was blocked.
The Mount Vernon special teams squad made its presence felt in the second quarter when sophomore Gunner Raley blocked a punt, giving Mount Vernon good field position. Two plays later, Blue Ridge picked off a pass to regain possession. After another strong series from the Mount Vernon defense, Blue Ridge attempted another punt. The ball bounced off a Blue Ridge player and rolled back to the end zone, where Mount Vernon senior Kody Martinez fell on the live ball to score Mount Vernon’s first touchdown. Junior Jackson Gray ran in the two-point attempt to take an 8-6 lead.
Late in the half, senior Brycen Fountain scored on a six-yard touchdown run. Mount Vernon's two-point try was unsuccessful, but it took a 14-6 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Blue Ridge started the third quarter with a twelve-play drive to score a touchdown. Blue Ridge converted a two-point try to tie the score at 14. Blue Ridge scored again late in the third quarter and added an extra point to take a 21-14 lead over Mount Vernon into the fourth quarter.
Playing from behind in the fourth quarter, the Mount Vernon offense drove down to the Blue Ridge 27-yard line. Jackson Gray connected with sophomore Eli McGonagil. It appeared to the purple-clad Mount Vernon homecoming crowd that McGonagil fell forward into the end zone, but the officials ruled him down at the 1-yard line. On the next play, Gray completed a jump pass to McGonagil to cut the lead to 21-20, with a point-after attempt pending.
Mount Vernon head coach and athletic director Travis McClain opted for a two-point try. Gray converted to take the 22-21 lead.
The Mount Vernon defense forced a three-and-out on the next possession. Blue Ridge had one more opportunity to take a lead, but Mount Vernon senior Favi Verduzco intercepted a pass to end the threat.
“Our defense builds its foundation in physicality, aggression, and grit,” McClain said.
Mount Vernon held on to take the one-point victory and move its record to 3-0 on the season.
“This game was against a high-quality opponent that played in the third round last year,” McClain said. “A close game against that quality of an opponent, that we're able to come out on top shows our kids that if we stay in the fight and continue to trust the process, we always have a chance.”
McClain and his Tigers have one more game left in their non-district schedule, and he likes what he is seeing in this early part of the year. “I just want to see our team continue to grow. There are things we need to fix from this week, but we are continuing to get better each week, and trending in the right direction with each game that passes,” he said.
Their final non-district game will be on the road in Canton against the 3-0 Eagles. Due to a shortage of officials throughout the area, that game has been moved to Thursday night. Even with the short week, McClain wants to keep the momentum going. “Canton is a very good football team. Big offensive line, great quarterback, and a sound, disciplined defense. They are going to be a great final test for our bunch as we wrap up non-district.”
The Tigers and Eagles kick off at 7:30 p.m. at Norris Birdwell Stadium in Canton this Thursday night.
