Mt’neers fall to Lamar, 63-7, in blowout

Mt. Vernon looks for fresh start at home this week against Springfield Catholic Fighting Irish
 
The Mt. Vernon Mt’neers lost in a brutal away game to the Lamar Tigers on Friday, Oct. 1. It was the team’s sixth loss this season.
The Tigers quickly racked up a strong lead against the Mt’neers in the first half of the game, scoring four touchdowns in the first quarter and three more in the second. Each touchdown was followed by a successful PAT, making the score 49-0 at the end of the half.
However, the Mt’neers adapted as the game progressed. In the third quarter, they mounted a successful 64-yard offensive drive that was capped off with a touchdown which Braden Dodson scored when he literally threw himself past the Tigers’ defenders and into the end zone, losing his shoe in the process and putting the Mt’neers on the board. Malachi Hennum followed up with a successful PAT, making the score 49-7.
However, it wasn’t enough to overcome the Tigers, who went on to score two more touchdowns and PATs in the fourth quarter, ending the game with a score of 63-7.
Tom Cox, the Mt’neers head coach, said that while the Tiger’s were a very formidable opponent, he felt that the game should have gone differently.
“Lamar has a great team, no doubt, but that kind of a loss is totally unacceptable,” he said. “I must do a better job of putting our players in a position to be successful. We continued to dig ourselves too big of a hole with turnovers early in the game. It's very difficult to play from behind against a team like Lamar; they have a great combination of speed, size and experience.”
Cox added that the team made some good plays during the game and said the team would only improve as they continue to train.
“We did some really good things during the game,” he said. “We just have to do them on a more consistent basis. In the third quarter, we put together a 13-play, 64-yard drive resulting in a Braden Dodson’s one-yard touchdown run. Defensively, we made many excellent plays and were in position to make many more; other times we were there and we didn't make the tackle. Those are plays we will make as we get stronger in the weight room, mature physically and learn valuable lessons from experience.”
This week, the Mt’neers return to Mt’neer Stadium for homecoming, where they will face Springfield Catholic’s Fighting Irish. Cox said the team is excited for the game.
“We look forward to a great crowd Friday night to support the many students involved in football, cheer, Coquettes, band and The Squad,” he said. “Bleed Green!”