Mt'neers defeat Mustangs, 23-13, in gridiron season opener

Mt. Vernon football to host Monett Cubs this Thursday, looks for winning streak
The Mt. Vernon Mt’neers kicked off the 2023 football season with a victory against the McDonald County Mustangs during an away game in Anderson on Friday, Aug. 26. The Mt’neers defeated the Mustangs by a score of 23-13 in the sweltering heat of a game that was moved back one hour due to the excessive temperature.
The Mt’neers drew first blood early in the first quarter when Gavin Johnston completed a 27-yard touchdown pass to Braxton Horton. Landon Popa made a successful PAT kick to make the score 7-0.
Near the end of the quarter, the Mustangs scored their own touchdown and PAT to tie the score.
The Mustangs pulled ahead about midway through the third quarter when they scored another touchdown, but their attempt at a PAT failed, making the score 13-7.
The Mt’neers tied the score in the fourth quarter when Johnston completed a four-yard touchdown pass to Horton, but an attempt at a PAT by Popa was blocked, leaving the score 13-all.
The Mt’neers pulled ahead near the end of the third when they went on an offensive drive that took them to the Mustangs’ seven-yard line. However, after the Mustangs defense blocked their attempts to go into the end zone, Popa successfully kicked the ball 25 yards to give the Mt’neers a field goal, breaking the tie and making the score 16-13.
The game saw another shift in momentum when Jake Leeper made an interception from the Mustangs offense to put the ball back in the hands of the Mt’neers. Then Johnston handed the ball off to Braden Dodson, who sprinted down the field while evading the Mustangs’ defense to make an 86-yard touchdown run to give the Mt’neers the final touchdown of the night. Popa followed up with another successful PAT to make the final score 23-13.
The Mt’neers return to Mt’neer Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 31, where they will face the Monett Cubs.
 
 (Photos by Steve Chapman)