With 5:11 to play in the game and starting with the ball on its own 47-yard line, the Mustangs methodically marched down the field to punch in a nine-yard touchdown from Blake Kytle to John Watson to secure the victory.
The Lions received the ball back with 32 seconds remaining, but the Mount Vernon defense forced a turnover on downs to take the win.
A defensive battle for the entire contest, both squads clashed to a scoreless first quarter.
But midway through the second quarter, the Mustangs took a 7-0 lead with 3:23 to play in the half.
John Watson received a handoff from Blake Kytle on a reverse and hurled a perfect 18-yard pass to Andrew Douglas to break the 0-0 deadlock. Will Lavender connected on the PAT and the Mustangs led 7-0 at intermission.
In the second half, the Lions drove inside the 10-yard line twice, but Mount Vernon's defense held strong to force two 23-yard field goals by Ethan Aldridge to make it a 7-6 contest by the end of the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Lions took the lead for the first time with 8:45 to play when Zach Jones rushed in a 49-yard touchdown. Mount Vernon blocked the critical extra point to trail 12-7.
After trading possessions, the Mustangs got the ball back on a punt with 5:11 to play to set up the game-winning drive.
Mount Vernon finished with 259 yards of offense (114 rushing and 145 passing).
Austin Douglas paced the squad with 92 rushing yards on 19 carries while Justin Douglas was the leading receiver with eight receptions for 79 yards.
The Lions finished with 145 yards rushing on 28 carries but struggled in the pass game with just 58 yards receiving.
Zach Jones led the way for the Lions, picking up 146 yards rushing on 16 carries.
The Mustangs (3-1, 1-0 Reg. 5-A), winner's of three straight, return to the gridiron on Friday, Sept. 21, traveling to Landmark Christian School to take on the War Eagles in another key Region 5-A contest.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Fairburn, Ga.
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:
MOUNT VERNON 13, TRINITY CHRISTIAN 12
MV 0-7-0-6 -- 13
TC 0-0-6-6 -- 12
Second Quarter
MV: Andrew Douglas 18-yard pass from John Watson (Will Lavender PAT)
Third Quarter
TC: Ethan Aldridge 23-yard field goal
TC: Ethan Aldridge 23-yard field goal
Fourth Quarter:
TC: Zach Jones 49-yard run (PAT blocked)
MV: John Watson 9-yard pass from Blake Kytle (Two-point conversion failed)
MV ----- TC
First Downs: 10 ----- 7
Rushing: 33-114 ----- 28-145
Passing: 15-18, 145 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT ----- 3-12, 58 yards
Fumbles/Fumbles Lost: 1/0 ----- 1/0
Penalties/Yards: 3/30 ----- 4/40
RUSHING: MV - Austin Douglas 19-92; TC - Zach Jones 16-146.
PASSING: MV - Blake Kytle 13-18, 127 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT; TC - Carson Walter 3-12, 58 yards.
RECEIVING: MV - Justin Douglas 8-29; TC - Chase Metcalf 1-46.
Records: Mount Vernon 3-1, 1-0 Reg. 5-A; Trinity Christian 3-1, 0-1 Reg. 5-A.
Next: Mount Vernon at Landmark Christian, 7:30 p.m., Friday.
POST-GAME VIDEOS (Copy and paste the following links):
-Sophomore Andrew Douglas & senior John Watson:
Click Here
-Head Coach Wayne Dabbs:
Click Here
-Team Meeting:
