Mt’neers fall to Bluejays, 26-14, ending regular season

Mt. Vernon heads to Stockton, Friday for playoffs
 
The Mt’neers lost their game against the Marshfield Bluejays, 26-14, at Mt’neer Stadium on Friday, Oct. 22. It was the team’s ninth loss for the season.
The first half of the game was scoreless, with neither team able to push past the other’s defense. The Mt’neers broke the stalemate mid-way through third quarter when Braden Dodson scored the first touchdown of the evening. Malachi Hennum followed up with a successful PAT, putting the Mt’neers in the lead, 7-0.
However, the Bluejays struck back near the end of third quarter, scoring a touchdown and PAT of their own. The third quarter ended with the score tied, 7-all.
The Mt’neers pulled ahead when Dodson made a second touchdown midway through fourth quarter, and Hennum again followed up with a successful PAT. Marshfield almost instantly responded with their own touchdown when one of their players made a 48-yard touchdown run into the Mt’neer end zone.
However, Cody Downing blocked their attempt at a PAT, allowing the Mt’neers to hold on to a narrow lead with a score of 14-13.
Unfortunately, it was a lead that wouldn’t last. The Bluejays scored two more touchdowns in quick succession in the final minutes of the game. After the first touchdown, the Mt’neers were able to block the Bluejays attempt at a two-point conversion, but Marshfield followed up their final touchdown with a successful PAT, making the final score 26-14.
Tom Cox, the Mt’neers head coach, said the team did a great job of playing, but in the end, it wasn’t enough.
“We played extremely well against Marshfield until it mattered the most,” he said. “Their kickoff return for a touchdown with just over six minutes to play started a series of events that directly led to our defeat. We then turned the ball over deep in our own territory and they capitalized one play later to take the lead. A late interception return for a touchdown ended our hopes of a comeback.”  
However, Cox said, the team continues to show a lot of improvement.
“There were many bright spots in the game,” he said. “Our defense played great! Ashton Cottrell did a really good job of leading the team from the quarterback position after the injury to starter Ethan Hoff on the second play of the game. Braden Dodson ran for 189 yards on 40 carries. You don't do that without good offensive line play. And as always, our guys played super hard and they continue to give it all they've got. We keep getting better and can't wait to get back out there this coming Friday.”  
The Mt’neers travel to Stockton on Friday, Oct. 29, where they will face the Tigers to open postseason action.