BOGART, Ga. - The Mount Vernon varsity football team came up short in its season opener on Friday night, falling to the Prince Avenue Christian Wolverines 55-27 at Brad Akins Field.
Sophomore quarterback Blake Kytle threw for four touchdowns and was 11-for-21 with 259 yards but it wasn't enough to stop a lethal Wolverine attack that totaled 496 yards of offense, including 277 yards rushing and 219 receiving.
The game began with the Mustangs scoring quickly on the opening drive.
Kytle connected to senior Justin Douglas for a 10-yard score and William Lavender tacked on the extra point for a 7-0 lead less than three minutes into the game.
The Wolverines would answer on the next drive when senior Christian Parrish rushed in a 10-yard touchdown. Caden Rush made the point after to tie the game at 7-7.
Both squads matched each other scoring in the second quarter.
The Mustangs took a 14-7 lead just over a minute into the frame when Kytle connected with senior Austin Douglas on a 79-yard touchdown to go along with Lavender's PAT.
The Wolverines stormed back when senior Mack Simmons hauled in a six-yard pass from sophomore Brock Vandagriff with 8:46 to play in the half. Rush's extra try was good again to deadlock the game at 14-14.
The Mustang offense charged ahead once more with 4:49 to play in the first half when Kytle found Austin Douglas again, this time from 31-yards out. Lavender's PAT gave the Mustangs a 21-14 advantage.
Prince Avenue closed out the half with a Parrish 12-yard run into the end zone with 1:08 remaining. Rush's extra point tied the contest at 21-21 at intermission.
The second half saw an explosion in offense from the Wolverines.
Prince Avenue outscored Mount Vernon 34-6 over the final 24 minutes of action.
Parrish scored three more times and Vandagriff added two rushing scores to put the game out of reach for Mount Vernon.
Mount Vernon's lone score came late in the third quarter to pull within eight when Kytle found senior John Watson on an 89-yard touchdown. The point after failed, but Mount Vernon was still within one possession, trailing 35-27 with 28 seconds to play in the third quarter.
The Wolverines closed the game on a 20-0 run to claim the win.
Mount Vernon totaled 366 yards of offense.
Austin Douglas led the Mustangs in rushing with 16 carries and 73 yards.
Watson finished with three receptions and 109 yards to pace Mount Vernon in receiving.
The Wolverines' balance attack included 277 yards rushing and 219 yards receiving.
Vandagriff rushed for 98 yards on 11 attempts with two rushing touchdowns.
Parrish finished with five touchdowns (three rushing and two receiving) and led the squad in receiving with 128 yards.
Vandagriff finished the game 17-for-26 with 219 yards and three touchdowns.
The Wolverines finished with 23 first downs, while Mount Vernon totaled 12.
The Mustangs (0-1) are back on the gridiron Friday afternoon, August 24, hosting the Mt. Pisgah Patriots.
The Patriots (0-1) fell in its season opener Friday night at home to Holy Innocents 42-21.
Kickoff for Friday's home opener against Mt. Pisgah is slated for 5 p.m. at the Glenn Campus Football Field.
The Mount Vernon Athletic Department strives to build the student-athlete by providing a five-star experience built on community, relentlessness, innovation, hospitality and professionalism. As a school of inquiry, innovation and impact grounded in Christian values, we prepare all students to be college-ready, globally competitive, and engaged citizen leaders. For more information on Mount Vernon athletics, visit www.mountvernonathletics.com and follow @MV_Athletics on Twitter for up-to-the-minute news on the Mustangs.
BOX SCORE:
PRINCE AVENUE 55, MOUNT VERNON 27
MVP 7-14-6-0 -- 27
PAC 7-14-21-13 -- 55
First Quarter
MV: Justin Douglas 10-yard pass from Blake Kytle (Will Lavender kick)
PA: Christian Parrish 10-yard run (Caden Rush kick)
Second Quarter
MV: Austin Douglas 79-yard pass from Kytle (Lavender kick)
PA: Mack Simmons 6-yard pass from Brock Vandagriff (Rush kick)
MV: Austin Douglas 31-yard pass from Kytle (Lavender kick)
PA: Parrish 12-yard run (Rush kick)
Third Quarter
PA: Parrish 4-yard run (Rush kick)
PA: Vandagriff 31-yard run (Rush kick)
MV: John Watson 89-yard pass from Kytle (Kick failed)
PA: Parrish 44-yard pass from Vandagriff (Rush kick)
Fourth Quarter
PA: Vandagriff 4-yard run (Rush kick)
PA: Parrish 17-yard pass from Vandagriff (Kick failed)
MV ----- PA
First Downs: 12 ----- 23
Rushing: 30-107 ----- 40-277
Passing: 11-21, 259 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT ----- 17-26, 219 yards, 3 TD
Fumbles/Fumbles Lost: 4/3 ----- 3/3
Penalties/Yards: 8/42 ----- 7/60
RUSHING: MV - Austin Douglas 16-73, Parker Corley 4-33; PA - Brock Vandagriff 11-98, Evan Treadwell 4-47, Christian Parrish 7-43.
RECEIVING: MV - Austin Douglas 2-110, John Watson 2-109; PA - Christian Parrish 8-128, Mack Simmons 5-57.
PASSING: MV - Blake Kytle 11-20-259-3 TD-2 INT; PA - Brock Vandagriff 17-26-219-3 TD.
Records: Prince Avenue 1-0; Mount Vernon 0-1.
Next: Mt. Pisgah at Mount Vernon, 5 p.m., Friday.
