Following two-day delay, Mt’neers finally defeat Cubs, 14-6

By: 
Steve Chapman

Maneuvering past the Cubs’ defense, Mt'neer Clayton Turner scampers the ball down the field.

Flanked by Wyatte Fowler and Danny Fields, Braden Dodson runs the ball for big yardage on the ground.

The Mt. Vernon Mt’neers won their second victory of the season as they defeated the Monett Cubs in a weather-delayed game that started on Thursday, Sept. 1, and concluded on Saturday, Sept. 3, at the Burl Fowler Stadium in Monett. The game was the team’s second straight victory in as many weeks.
After lightning caused an hour-long delay, Mt. Vernon drew first blood about midway through first quarter when they made an offensive drive that took the ball to the Cub nine-yard line. From there, Braden Dodson ran the ball into the end zone and scored the first touchdown of the night. Malachi Hennum followed up with a successful PAT to make the score 7-0.
The game was paused due to lightning with nine minutes and 28 second left on the play clock in second quarter. Seeing no end in sight to the inclement weather, play was canceled for the night. The game was continued on Saturday.
A powerful offense, combined with a vigorous defense on both sides created an impasse which lasted until near the end of third quarter, when the Mt’neers repelled an offensive drive by Cubs at Mt. Vernon’s four-yard line to force a turnover on downs. The Mt’neers then pushed their way up to the Cubs’ seven-yard line, after which Dodson ran past the Cubs’ defense to make his second touchdown of the game. Hennum again made a successful PAT, to make the score 14-0.
The Cubs got on the board near the end of fourth quarter when they scored a touchdown. From there, the Cubs attempted to bluff the Mt’neers by pretending to prepare to make a PAT but then attempted to make a two-point conversion instead. However, the Mt’neers intercepted the Cubs’ ball carrier, to make the final score 14-6.
Tom Cox, the Mt’neers’ head coach, said the weather was a setback, but one that the team was able to overcome.
“Who would've thought we would have to wait two days to finish a football game,” he said. “Rain and lightning were the last things on my mind when we left for Monett, Thursday night. We played an excellent first quarter and had all of the momentum when the game was suspended. When we restarted the game Saturday night, Monett came out with a ton of energy on defense, and we were flat offensively. Our defense kept us in the game time and time again, (and) I never felt any sense of frustration or panic from our players."
Eventually, Cox added, the team found their momentum again and pushed through to victory.
"When we got the ball on our own 11 yard, the guys were determined to score; there were so many great plays on that drive. Braden Dodson had some outstanding runs, including the 7-yard touchdown run to put us up 14-0, (and) Earl Trimble had a great catch and run to get us a big first down. Back-to-back 20-yard catches by Clayton Turner and Braxton Horton were huge plays that got us in the Red Zone.”
Cox also raved about the team’s defense.
“I can't say enough about our defense,” he said “The Flexbone offense is so hard to prepare for, and it was such a short week because of playing on Thursday anyway, (but) Coaches Johnston, Hayes and Cason came up with a great game plan, and with a few exceptions, our guys carried it out beautifully. I was super proud of our team overcoming adversity and securing the victory over a very physical Monett team that started nine seniors and two juniors on defense. We're still young in many positions, but behind our senior leadership, our guys kept battling.”  
 

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Lawrence County Record

312 S. Hickory St.
Mt. Vernon, MO, 65712
www.lawrencecountyrecord.com

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