MOUNT VERNON — The Mount Vernon Yellow Jackets needed something to shake off the malaise that had stuck around since last season.
Jonny Askew delivered.
The senior picked off a Marion Harding pass late in the first half and ran 66 yards back for a game-tying touchdown.
“I was planning on taking the receiver out, but he tipped it,” Askew said. “I was lucky to be able to get it and take it.”
The play sent shock waves through the entire Mount Vernon roster. It ignited the Jackets as they stood and hollered from the sideline, and put the team’s nine-game losing streak solidly in the rearview mirror.
Mount Vernon responded with a 31-6 second half to dominate the Presidents, 45-20, on opening night Friday.
Askew himself was ignited as well. He had managed just 18 yards on 10 carries to that point in the game. Askew rushed for 107 yards in the second half, including a 42-yard touchdown to give Mount Vernon the lead for good. He finished with three touchdowns for the night.
Askew is given a measure of leeway when the Jackets have the ball. When he has the ball, he is told to look for a hole and exploit it — or improvise.
“All my job is, is to cut up and run fast. Outrun everybody,” Askew said. “I’ll take anything they give me.”
Mason Richards began the game at quarterback for Mount Vernon, but switched out with Jake Taylor throughout the game. Richards, a sophomore, completed just one pass, but it was a big one — a 68-yard post to Hayden Higgins in the second quarter that ended just short of the goal line. As a receiver, Richards caught a 33-yard touchdown pass from Taylor.
“We have two great quarterbacks, and that’s a great problem to have,” second-year Mount Vernon coach Jay Campbell said. “They both compliment each other. Mason is a great athlete and, as a sophomore, was voted team captain by his peers. That’s the first time that’s happened in my 12 years of coaching.”
Late in the game, with the Jackets (1-0) attempting one final defensive stand, Richards scooped up a fumble at the 3-yard line and sprinted 97 yards for a touchdown. It was the longest fumble return in Yellow Jacket Stadium history.
“I got to bring it all the way. Great time,” Richards said of the return. “It’s amazing. I’m very blessed.”
The Mount Vernon defense allowed 379 yards but forced five turnovers. Sophomore Josiah Colon intercepted a pass and deflected two others. He also recorded two tackles for loss. Reece Schonauer and Gage Kuhlman added sacks.
“He (Colon) always finds a way,” Campbell said. “He’s undersized, but he makes up for it with heart.”
The win was the first for the Jackets in front of their home crowd since October 8, 2021, when they defeated winless Madison 21-13. They’ll look to continue the momentum at Newark next Friday.
“We’ll enjoy this tonight. Otherwise, this job isn’t nearly as fun,” Campbell said. “But as soon as we watch film Saturday, we’ll turn the page quickly and focus on Newark.”
“We’re going to bring it,” Richards said. “We’re going to win. Do the same thing.”
Mount Vernon began the game forced to punt, but Marion Harding dropped the return and Riley Fowler fell on the ball. The Jackets were stopped again, but forced another fumble on the ensuing drive. Once again, however, Mount Vernon could not score.
Marion Harding (0-1) struck first early in the second period with a 13-yard touchdown from Alex Stokes to Connor Pennington. Later in the quarter, after Askew’s first score, Timani Barber carried for a 47-yard touchdown to give the Presidents a 14-6 lead.
Askew’s 42-yard touchdown was followed by a 34-yard field goal by Gabe Montoya.
Stokes threw a 26-yard strike to Keonte Scott for the final touchdown for the Presidents.
