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By John Miller (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Mount Vernon, Mo. – All year long, the Mount Vernon defense has been up to the task. After pitching back-to-back shutouts against Aurora and Rogersville, the Mountaineers faced a unique challenge against Seneca on Friday. The Indians were averaging 30 points per game and had scored 40 or more twice already this year.
But on Friday night, the Mountaineers stifled them. Seneca fumbled five times and found the end zone only twice as Mount Vernon cruised to a 37-14 win.
“Our defense did a really good job of assignment football,” Mount Vernon coach Tom Cox said. “It’s a tough offense to defend because they can run (many different sets). You really have to stay at home. … Once we got it figured out and our guys locked down on their assignments, we really played well and held them in check the whole night.”
Seneca took the opening kickoff and marched down the field, spanning 64 yards in 11 plays. Gavin Clouse connected with Daythen Long for a 15-yard touchdown reception and it was 6-0.
Unfortunately, the offensive rhythm didn’t last. Seneca turned the ball over on four of its next five possessions. A scoop and score by Cale Miller thanks to a poor snap on a punt. An interception by Justin Maples. Another fumble. Another poor snap on a punt that was recovered by the Mountaineers. Mistake after mistake crumbled Seneca’s offensive attack.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
Mount Vernon (6-1) stretched its lead to 14-6 late in the second on a 6-yard touchdown run by Will Boswell. Later, Boswell put the game away with touchdown runs from 49 and 55 yards. He finished with 142 yards on 14 carries and three touchdowns.
“The big boys up front made the holes and I ran threw them,” he said. “That’s all there is to it.”
Mountaineer quarterback Zach Jones also connected on a touchdown, finding Rafe Darter for a 10-yard score early in the third. After falling behind 6-0, Mount Vernon scored 30 points unanswered to take firm command of the game.
“Seneca is a great program,” Cox said. “We have tremendous respect for them, and we feel like we get better every time we play them.”
Mount Vernon’s win on Friday sets the stage for a Big 8 Conference first-place showdown in the East Division at Springfield Catholic (6-1) on October 13.
“We haven’t looked at them on film,” Cox said. “We know (Catholic quarterback) Tyson Riley. We know him very well. We know he’s a great player and the number one player in the Springfield area right now. … It’s a really good challenge for our defense.”
Boswell is eager for the challenge that the Fighting Irish will bring.
“It’s gonna be a good game,” Boswell said. “I hope every one of ya’ll from the Ozone picks Catholic to win.”
Mount Vernon 37, Seneca 14
1Q
SHS – 7:03 – Close 15-yard pass to Long (2-point fail)
MVHS – 2:38 – Miller 10-yard scoop and score (Jones to Vaughn)
2Q
MVHS – 1:38 – Boswell 6-yard run (2-point fail)
3Q
MVHS – 7:25 – Jones 10-yard pass to Darter (Jones to Vaughn)
4Q
MVHS – 6:46 – Boswell 49-yard run (2-point success)
SHS – 4:25 – Clouse 12-yard pass to Mailes (Clouse run)
MVHS – 4:13 – Boswell 55-yard run (Bartelsmeyer kick)
