By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Two years ago, Mt. Vernon started 0-9, playing several sophomores and freshmen, before making a push late that resulted in a district upset win at Stockton.
Those youngsters made a district championship push last year before falling to Seneca in the title game, 25-21. The Mountaineers finished the season 8-4 with two of those losses coming by a combined six points.
And now, with 11 starters back and a wealth of talent, Mt. Vernon wants more.
“The Seneca game left a bad taste in all of our mouths,” said long-time coach Tom Cox. “We had a 21-7 lead and couldn’t hold it. The players feel like they have something to prove.”
That proof starts with the star-studded backfield of juniors Gavin Johnston and Braden Dodson.
Johnston – an All-Big 8 quarterback – threw for 1,650 yards and 14 touchdowns last year. Dodson – an All-State selection – rushed for 1,245 yards and 23 touchdowns.
They are two of the best in the Ozarks and will continue to terrorize southwest Missouri for two more seasons.
“Gavin has grown in the offseason; he has a lot of confidence in his arm strength, but that got us in trouble at times last year,” said Cox. “He has worked hard on not trying to force the ball in a tight window late. He has also improved on his touch passes and he is reading the RPO game better with every rep.
“What can you say about Braden that hasn’t already been said? He’s an outstanding player at any position on the field. He even started one varsity game at quarterback his freshman year. He’s an unselfish teammate and a fierce competitor. Braden will be the focus of all of our opponents’ defenses and offenses. Braden has really done a great job in the weight room during the offseason. His running back-linebacker running mate, Cody Downing, has pushed him to get stronger and more explosive.”
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Johnston will have no shortage of weapons at his disposal.
Seniors Layton Pendleton and Braxton Horton, as well as junior Jarrett Zerby, return as three of Mt. Vernon’s top four targets from last year. Pendleton (21-255-2), Zerby (21-261-1) and Horton (20-263-4) will help alleviate the congestion within the box for Dodson.
Seniors Brody Thompson, Jake Leeper and Ryder Dampf, as well as juniors Grayson Gann, Dominic Schnelten, Lane Konrad, Hudson Gaddy and Juliun Hernandez will be in the receiving mix as well.
Senior Cody Downing and sophomore Hunter Conway will help spell Dodson in the backfield.
The offensive line will have plenty of size and experience with senior Kade Sexton (5-11, 235) being joined by juniors Danny Fields (6-1, 325) and Bryce Rinker (5-11, 240).
In the conversation to join them are senior Braxton Craig, as well as juniors Payton Jones and Owen Lehman. Sophomores Isaac Henry (6-1, 270), Jakoby Wilson (5-11, 250), Gavin Mace and Nathan Rutherford.
“We lost two very good players up front, but we return three really good players in Sexton, Rinker and Fields,” said Cox. “Braxton Craig also saw action on the offensive line in 2022. Payton Jones and Owen Lehman are undersized but very sound technique wise. They have all been great in summer workouts helping our younger guys. Coach Kelley Beckner does a super job with our linemen. It will be a good mix of veterans and youth.”
Downing will look to lead Mt. Vernon’s defense, which allowed two scores or less in seven of 12 games last year. Downing totaled 90 tackles and 22 tackles for loss. Fellow linebacker Dodson added 78 tackles and 15 tackles for loss, as well as four fumble recoveries.
“Cody Downing is a great example of what it means to be a Mountaineer,” said Cox. “He pushes himself to the limit in the classroom, the weight room and on the field. He’s not the biggest guy or the fastest guy, but he finds a way to get the job done. It was so great to see other coaches recognize those traits in Cody by rewarding him with all-state recognition in 2022. It’s exciting to see what his senior year has in store for Cody and our football team.”
Leeper, Pendleton and Zerby give Mt. Vernon an experienced secondary, with Zerby leading the team with five interceptions last year. Craig and Fields will anchor the defensive line.
Cox is also excited about several sophomores that could be two-way contributors on Friday night.
Hunter Dawson is a sophomore that’ll be the backup quarterback but also play some linebacker. Brady Courtois could see reps at running back and linebacker. Jacob Erpelding, Coy Felton, Rylee Flageolle and Austin Lamberson could all see action at receiver, as well as on the back end of Mount Vernon’s defense.
Under Cox, Mt. Vernon is always a threat to compete for Big 8 and district championships.
In 2017 they made a run to the state championship game. They followed that up with a district title in 2018 and a 10-1 run in 2019.
Cox routinely puts together elite defenses, but this could be his best offense ever. The ‘Neers will be more than battle tested come playoff time, which could set them up to be playing well into November.
“We were Class 2 a year ago and expect to be there again this year, but we only play two Class 2 teams in the regular season (Catholic and Hollister),” said Cox. ” We have to play all five Class 4 schools for the second year in a row (McDonald County, Monett, Rogersville, Nevada and Marshfield). Our other two opponents are Aurora and Reeds Spring. Needless to say, we had better be ready to play the full 60 minutes each week.
“I know it’s cliche’, but we have to cut down on our turnovers. Defensively, we cannot allow explosive plays. We must do a better job of getting off the field on third down and preventing the big play. If we do those things, we will put ourselves in a great position to be successful in the regular season and postseason.”
Mount Vernon will host Neosho McDonald County and Forsyth in a jamboree before opening the 2023 regular season at McDonald County on Aug. 25.
