In Mount Vernon High School’s final season in the Ohio Cardinal Conference, the Yellow Jackets look to improve from the rough 1-9 overall and 0-6 records the team endured last year.
Mount Vernon head coach Jay Campbell said he likes the direction of the team culture and the strides they have made in developing leaders within the program. “We look forward to seeing how that impacts our play on the field,” Campbell said.
“Our philosophy develops around setting high expectations and standards for our athletes while creating an environment that people want to be a part of. The motto: ‘Finish,’ is the foundation of our program. It revolves around building family and paying attention to detail.”
Beginning in the 2024-25 school year, Mount Vernon will join the Licking County League’s big-school Buckeye Division competing against Granville, Licking Heights, Licking Valley, Watkins Memorial and Zanesville. The Jackets have been part of the Ohio Cardinal Conference since the fall of 2016.
Coach Campbell, who is in his second year leading Mount Vernon and 12th season overall in coaching, said the team will run a gap run scheme offensively that utilizes play action.
"We believe in the versatility it allows us year-to-year and allows us to tailor our offensive approach to our personnel,” Campbell said.
On defense, the Jackets play an odd stack alignment. “It allows us to easily adapt to different formations and offenses,” Campbell said. “It also allows us to create an attacking style.”
According to MaxPreps, the Jackets were led on the stat sheet last season by junior wide receiver-running back Jonny Askew’s 31 receptions in six games for 281 yards, five touchdowns, and 262 yards rushing in only six games. Senior quarterback Joel Hubbard completed 57% of his passes for 429 yards and four TDs.
Senior Outside linebacker Mack Hannah led the defense with 18 solo tackles and two sacks and an interception in only three games. Askew was the only Yellow Jacket to earn first-team all-OCC honors, and Hubbard was selected to the second team, with freshman Luke Mullins and senior Zack Culbert getting honorable mention nods.
Campbell said this season, his key returners are Jonny Askew (RB), Dakota Wagner (OL), Luke Hubbard (WR/DB), Jake Taylor (OLB), Logan Moore (OL) and Reece Schonauer (OL/DL).
Campbell said his expectations for the season are based on team commitment and purpose. “As a staff, we want to see our players be focused and committed in their preparation,” he said. “We expect our players to be relentless and play with phenomenal effort.”
The Yellow Jackets open their 2023 season Friday, Aug. 18, at home against Marion Harding at 7 p.m. The OCC season opener is at home, Friday, Sept. 8 vs Lexington HS at Energy Field in Mount Vernon.
