Mt’neers wallop Cubs in slaughter, 42-7

Mt. Vernon offense too much, led 35-0 at half
The Mt. Vernon Mt’neers won their second straight victory of the 2023 football season when they defeated the Monett Cubs 42-7 at Mt’neer Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 31.
The Mt’neers drew first blood early in the first quarter when, coming back from a fourth and six, Gavin Johnston completed a 28-yard pass to Jake Leeper to put the ball on the Cubs’ eight-yard line. From there, Johnston completed a touchdown pass to Braxton Horton to make the score 6-0.
The Mt’neers scored again about midway through the quarter when Johnston completed a 15-yard touchdown pass to Horton. The Mt’neers then gained a two-point conversion when Johnston completed a three-yard touchdown pass to Braden Dodson to make the score 14-0.
The Mt’neers scored their third touchdown near the top of the third quarter when Dodson made a four-yard touchdown run, followed up with a successful PAT by Landon Popa, giving the Mt’neers a 21-0 lead.
About midway through second quarter, Jake Leeper brought the ball to the Cubs’ three-yard line, after which Dodson ran it into the end zone, giving the team their fourth touchdown. Popa again followed up with a successful PAT to make the score 28-0.
In the last few minutes of the quarter, Juliun Hernandez made an interception to put the Mt’neers on an offensive drive that ended when Johnston completed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Leeper, with only 58 seconds left in the half. Popa again made a successful PAT, making the score 35-0 at halftime.
The Mt’neers scored once more about midway through third quarter when Dodson made a touchdown. Popa made his fourth PAT of the evening to make the score 42-0. The Cubs managed to get on the board in the final minutes of the game, making the final score 42-7.
Tom Cox, the Mt’neers head coach, said he was very pleased with how the team performed.
“I was very proud of our players and coaches for executing a game plan against an offense and defense we don't see very often, with one less day to prepare,” he said.  “A big part of our success in games is due to the work our scout team does during practice each day running our opponent's offense and defense. Monett showed a lot of offensive firepower last week against a very good Reeds Spring defense, and we held them scoreless until the last three minutes of the game. Offensively, we also played very well with the exception of losing two fumbles. However, I was disappointed in our number of penalties (6). With that being said, most of those penalties were for holding in the open field where our guys were blocking with great effort. I'll take great effort every time; we just need to clean up our downfield blocking technique a little.”
Cox also said his players did great work both on offense and defense.
“For the second game in a row, our offensive line did not allow a quarterback sack,” he said, “and as a result, Gavin Johnston had time to throw the ball. He threw it well, completing 14-of-21 passes for 246 yards and three touchdowns. Braden Dodson carried 16 times for 125 yards and three touchdowns. Jake Leeper had five catches for 117 yards and a touchdown. Ryder Dampf had two catches for 35 yards and several punt returns that set us up in excellent field position. Braxton Horton had three catches for 30 yards and two touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball, Cody Downing led the way with six tackles and a fumble recovery, Dominic Schnelten and Hunter Conway had five tackles each, Juliun Hernandez had four tackles and one interception, and Ryder Dampf also had an interception. Calvin Dawson caused a fumble from his outside linebacker position that was recovered by Jake Leeper.”
The Mt’neers return to Mt’neer Stadium on Friday, Sept.  8, where they will face their longtime rivals, the Aurora Houn’ Dawgs. The two teams will compete for the coveted Bell Bowl Trophy, which Mt. Vernon currently holds. Cox said he expects a good game.
“Aurora comes to town this week,” he said. “We had the opportunity to watch them live on Friday night, and they play a very aggressive style of football. They have good size on the offensive and defensive lines and good speed in the offensive and defensive backfields. I was impressed with their linebackers' ability to read and pursue the ball. It looks like a typical Mt. Vernon - Aurora battle. We're looking forward to a great crowd and a great atmosphere Friday night at Mountaineer Stadium.”