MOUNT VERNON – When the Mount Vernon football team take the field on Friday night, it has a chance to do something it hasn’t done in a long time. The Yellow Jackets can finish with a winning record for the second year in a row, which they haven't done since 2002-03.
“A chance to finish the season with another winning season – I think our kids are going to be extremely motivated going in,” Mount Vernon coach Mike Kerr said. “It’s Senior Night and it’s a chance to send those kids out right. I think our kids are going to be dialed in and motivated.”
Mount Vernon (4-4) is coming off back-to-back wins against Delaware (20-14 on Oct. 16) and Big Walnut (14-13 on Oct. 23) after falling to Canal Winchester 45-14 in the first round of the Division II, Region 7 playoffs on Oct. 9.
“Our kids were very excited about our playoff game,” Kerr said. “Obviously, it did not go the way we wanted. But I also think they knew they had more in them. They were excited about getting a chance to show that what happened against Canal Winchester wasn’t who they were. I think (I’m) just really lucky – just with our group of kids – because they just love to play the game.”
“It’s been different the last couple of weeks, for sure,” senior linebacker Ethan Laslo said. “Having to adapt to a little bit different of an offense with (quarterback) Britten (Long) going down against Delaware. But Joel Hubbard was able to step up for us and lead the offense like we knew he could.”
Hubbard has three rushing touchdowns, including the game-winner late in the third quarter against Big Walnut. A.J. Keen has rushed for 770 yards and two touchdowns on 176 carries for the Jackets this season.
Laslo has 37 solo tackles, 61 assists, seven tackles-for-loss, a sack and a forced fumble to lead Mount Vernon on defense this season.
Long broke his collar bone in the game against Delaware. Mount Vernon is also without one if its starting offensive guards, Robbie Snyder, who is out with a knee injury.
Christian Brown missed the Big Walnut game with a shoulder injury. But he might be able to play against the Wildcats on Friday.
Newark (0-8) is led by receiver/defensive back Garret Ramsey (55 catches, 422 yards and four touchdowns on offense and 28.5 tackles on defense), receiver/linebacker Trei Dansby (45.5 tackles) and quarterback Jake Sherman (43-for-105, 468 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions).
