MANSFIELD — Mount Vernon authored a solid defensive performance on Friday night, but the Yellow Jackets faced even tougher resistance at Arlin Field.
Coach Mike Kerr’s squad offered a valiant effort before dropping a 17-7 decision to Mansfield Senior in an Ohio Cardinal Conference tilt.
The Yellow Jackets (2-3 overall, 2-3 in the OCC) jumped on top in the first quarter, with Zach Snyder tossing a 5-yard touchdown pass to Jesse Bayless. It was his only catch of the night and the ensuing PAT made it 7-0 for the visitors with 3:00 showing on the clock.
But Senior High (2-4, 2-3) controlled the game after that.
In the second period, Brock Hill rifled a 75-yard TD pass to Aveon Grose, the new Pitt pledge, and the extra point tied it with 5:37 on the scoreboard. Sean Putt’s 23-yard field goal with just 29 seconds left in the half made it 10-7 at intermission.
Hill finished it in the third quarter, finding Tyshaundre Hall on a 12-yard scoring strike at the 4:43 mark of the third quarter.
Senior High’s defense was nearly impenetrable, allowing just 96 yards of total offense. Mount Vernon gained 34 yards on 36 carries, and mustered just 61 yards passing on Snyder’s 9-of-18 aerial performance.
Running back A.J. Keen chipped in 44 yards rushing on 14 carries, but the rest of the Yellow Jackets struggled, with Snyder losing -22 yards on 13 attempts.
Mount Vernon’s defense limited the Tygers to 114 yards rushing and 130 yards passing for 244 yards of total offense. Hill ran for 50 yards and Grose had 80 yards receiving.
The postseason odyssey begins next week, with the Tygers hosting Sylvania Southview, and Canal Winchester visiting Mount Vernon.
