Mt’neers fall to Seneca, 55-26, ending season in quarterfinals

The Mt. Vernon Mt’neers 2024 football season came to an end in the quarterfinals on Saturday, Nov. 23, after they were defeated by the Seneca Indians 55-26 at Mt’neer Stadium. The Mt’neers end the season, 9-4, as district champions.
The Mt’neers drew first blood when Gavin Johnston completed a nine-yard touchdown pass to Coy Felton about midway through first quarter, followed by a successful PAT by Hunter Dawson, taking the lead 7-0.
Seneca then made a touchdown and PAT to even the score. Near the end of the quarter, they did so again to take the lead, 14-7.
Midway through the second quarter, Seneca made a touchdown, which they followed up with a PAT. The Mt’neers responded on the next drive when Johnston completed a 20-yard touchdown pass to Dawson, however, an attempt at a PAT was unsuccessful, making the score 21-13.
Seneca made their fourth touchdown and PAT in the final seconds of the half, bringing the score to 28-13 at halftime.
On offense at the beginning of the second quarter, the Indians made another touchdown, but failed at an attempt at a PAT, bringing the score to 34-13.
The Mt’neers fired back mid-quarter when Johnston completed a three-yard touchdown pass to Felton, followed by a PAT by Dawson. However, Seneca made their sixth touchdown and PAT of the game to make the score 41-20 at the end of the third.
Seneca went on to make back-to-back touchdowns and PATs midway through fourth quarter. Meanwhile Johnston made a touchdown with a six-yard quarterback keeper run near the end of the game, but an attempt at a two-point conversion was unsuccessful, making the final score 55-26 at game’s end, and a victory for Seneca.
Mt’neers possessed an indomitable spirit
Tom Cox, the Mt’neers head coach, said that throughout the game the Mt’neers refused to give in to their opponents.
“We felt good going into the game,” he said. “We felt like we had a good game plan. We felt that we could play with them, and we did. We had the turnover late in the second quarter as we were knocking on the door down there. And then, (we gave) up the touchdown with just a few seconds left … but even with that, even with that two-score deficit when we went in there, the guys felt like they couldn’t stop us. If we could just get a stop on defense, then we could get it to within one score and then maybe the momentum would help us, and we could get another stop. But the guys never gave up … and we just kept playing to the very end.”
Senior players made great contributions to team, community over four years
Cox also said that the senior players had contributed a lot to the game during their tenure as Mt’neers, as evidenced by the number of people who came to see them play.
“This group of seniors has meant a lot to the program,” he said, “and they’ve done so much to advance football in Mt. Vernon and to the school and to the community as a whole. (You can) see how many people came out to watch, and it’s just it’s more than just family and friends. It’s important to this community.”
Winners in life
While the team may have lost the game, Cox added, they will all be winners in life.
“I’m very proud of them,” he said. “We told them that we’d rather have “Mt’neers” on the front of our jerseys than any other team, win or lose. We’re proud of the way they handle themselves. So, they’re going to be good men (and) good leaders when they get out … and get into the workforce.”
With the end of the season, many on the team will continue to represent Mt. Vernon High School in other sports, including basketball and baseball. Cox said he would like to see them play in other sports during the school year.
“They’re such good athletes,” he said. “We want them to be multiple sport participants and thankfully they are.”