Below is the season's sixth Mustang Fan Guide that includes game notes and other information about the upcoming contest.
QUICK FACTS:
MOUNT VERNON (2018): 5-1 (3-0 Reg. 5-A)
Home: 2-0; Away 3-1, Neutral: 0-0
City: Sandy Springs, Ga.
Colors: Navy and Silver
Mascot: Mustangs
Stadium/Field: Glenn Campus Football Field
Head Coach: Wayne Dabbs (4th year at Mount Vernon; 11th year overall)
Career Record: 45-24
Record at Mount Vernon: 22-17
Region Championships: None
State Championships: None
Overall Home Record (GHSA): 13-19
Overall Away Record (GHSA): 13-24
Overall Record (GHSA): 26-44
Overall Program Record: 45-88-0
2018 Wins: W 41-21 vs. Mt. Pisgah (August 24), W 41-17 at First Presbyterian Day (August 31), W 13-12 at Trinity Christian (Sept. 14), W 55-0 at Landmark (Sept. 21), W 32-29 vs. Holy Innocents (Sept. 28).
2018 Loses: L 55-27 at Prince Avenue (August 17)
2017 Wins: W 28-0 vs. Whitefield Academy (August 25), W 24-13 at Walker (Sept. 1), W 34-16 at North Cobb Christian (Sept. 8), W 41-36 at Temple (Sept. 15), W 42-14 vs. Landmark (Sept. 22), W 35-31 vs. Holy Innocents (Sept. 29), W 21-14 vs. Our Lady of Mercy (Nov. 10).
2017 Losses: L 34-14 vs. Wesleyan (Oct. 6), L 35-31 at Our Lady of Mercy (Oct. 13), L 70-0 vs. ELCA (Oct. 27), L 22-15 at Strong Rock (Nov. 3), L 53-12 at Mt. Paran (Nov. 17).
2017 GHSA Playoffs: W Rd. 1 vs. Our Lady of Mercy 21-14 (Nov. 10), L Rd. 2 at Mt. Paran 53-12 (Nov. 17).
WESLEYAN SCHOOL WOLVES (2018): 2-4 (2-1 Reg. 5-A)
Home: 0-2; Away: 2-2; Neutral: 0-0
City: Norcross, Ga.
Colors: Forest Green, Gold and White
Mascot: War Eagles
Stadium/Field: Henderson Stadium
Head Coach: Franklin Pridgen (13th year overall; 13th year at Wesleyan)
Career Record: 40-29
Record at Wesleyan: 95-52
Region Championships: 2 (2008 and 2009 in GHSA Class-A)
State Championships: 1 (2008 – def. Emanuel County Institute)
Overall Home Record (since 2006): 53-24
Overall Road Record (since 2006): 42-30
Overall Neutral Record (since 2000): 0-0
Overall Program Record: 144-92-1
2018 Wins: W 48-0 at Our Lady of Mercy (Sept. 14), W 24-16 at Holy Innocents (Sept. 21)
2018 Losses: L 21-3 at Meadowcreek (August 17), L 17-0 at Chattooga (August 24), L 49-28 vs. Prince Avenue (August 31), L 63-0 vs. Eagles Landing Christian (Sept. 28).
2017 Wins: W 63-14 vs. Therrell (August 18), W 43-22 vs. BEST Academy (August 25), W 38-14 v. Frederica (Sept. 1), W 42-7 vs. Our Lady of Mercy (Sept. 15), W 42-14 vs. Holy Innocents (Sept. 22), W 34-14 at Mount Vernon (Oct. 6), W 72-0 at Landmark Christian (Oct. 20), W 38-0 vs. Calvary Day (Oct. 27).
2017 Losses: L 35-0 vs. Hapeville Charter (Sept. 8), L 45-6 at Eagles Landing Christian (Sept. 29), L 17-10 vs. Calvary Day (Nov. 17).
2017 Playoffs: L Rd. 2 vs. Calvary Day (Nov. 17).
(1) THE GAME: The Mount Vernon varsity football team returns to the gridiron on Friday, Oct. 5, traveling to the Wesleyan School for a Region 5-1A contest against the Wolves.
Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. at Henderson Stadium in Norcross, Ga.
(2) LAST TIME OUT for WESLEYAN: The Wolves were victims of a 63-0 loss at home to Class-A powerhouse Eagle’s Landing Christian on Friday, Sept. 28.
The Chargers led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter and took a 28-0 lead into halftime.
In the second half, ELCA shutout the Wolves while posting 35 points for the victory.
The Wolves were held to just 24 yards rushing but picked up 150 yards receiving in the loss.
(3) LAST TIME OUT for MOUNT VERNON: The Mustangs took down region rival Holy Innocents 32-29 in thrilling fashion on Friday, Sept. 28 on Homecoming 2018.
Austin Douglas racked up four touchdowns in the victory, including a game-winning strip-sack on a potential game-winning drive by the Golden Bears.
Mount Vernon finished with 174 yards rushing and 176 yards receiving as well.
The victory gave the Mustangs their fifth win in as many tries.
(4) SERIES HISTORY: Friday’s contest against Wesleyan will mark the third time the Mustangs will meet the Wolves.
Wesleyan leads the series 2-0 with victories in 2016 and 2017.
In 2016, Pridgen’s Wolves picked up a 34-0 victory at home followed by a 34-14 win on the road in 2017.
(5) 15th EDITION: The 2018 season marks the 15th year of Mustang football.
The program began in 1984 with one game according to the Georgia High School Football Historians Association.
The Mustangs played in the GISA from 2006-2011 before joining the GHSA in 2012.
Over that span, the Mustangs have had four coaches lead the squad: Wayne Dabbs (2015-present), Ryan Zimmerman (2013-14), Reggie Burnette (2008-12), and Stan Whitlock (2006-07).
(6) REGION RECORDS 2017: Mount Vernon finished the 2017 season with a 2-4 record in Region 5-1A play.
Wesleyan finished second in Region 5-1A last season with a 5-1 region record.
Entering play on Friday night, the Mustangs are 3-0 in region play while Wesleyan is 2-1.
(7) RIGHT MAN, RIGHT PLACE: Head Coach Wayne Dabbs is entering his third season at the helm for the Mustangs and it's safe to say, the Mustang football squad has turned in the right direction. Since his hire three years ago, the Mustangs have gone 21-17, including the program's first GHSA State Playoff berth in 2016 and the first GHSA State Playoff home game in 2017.
Dabbs graduated from Tabernacle Christian School in Gardendale, AL in 2003 where he played football, basketball and baseball.
In football, Dabbs was named the North Jefferson News Offensive Player of the Year in all classifications in 2002 and 2003.
Dabbs took his talents to University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, KY where he was the leading receiver his senior season.
After graduating from UC in 2007, he spent one season as the running back coach at the University of West Georgia, one year as quarterback coach at Cumberland (2008) and one year as running back coach at Murray State (2009).
Dabbs returned to his high school alma mater from 2010-2012, winning back-to-back State Championships in 2011 and 2012 that included a 17 game winning streak.
He also spent two seasons (2013 and 2014) as the offensive line coach at The Westminster School in Atlanta.
(8) A CLOSER LOOK AT HEAD COACH FRANKLIN PRIDGEN: The Wolves are led by Franklin Pridegn, currently in is 13th season at the helm for Wesleyan.
During his time as head coach, the Wolves have garnered immense success, going 95-52 since Pridgen arrived in 2006.
Form 2008-2010, Pridgens’ teams surpassed the 10-win margin.
The Wolves have had just three losing seasons while Pridgen has been the head coach as well.
Pridgen led the Wolves to the GHSA Region 5-1A Championship in 2008 and 2009.
In 2009, Pridgen helped earn Wesleyan its only GHSA Class-A Football State Title in a 33-21 victory over Emanuel Country Institute.
(9) GHSA CLASS-A PRIVATE POWER RATINGS: The third edition of the GHSA Class-A Private Power Ratings were released on Monday, Oct. 1.
The ratings are used to determine seeding for the GHSA Class-A Public and Private State Playoffs at the end of the season, with the Top-24 teams making the postseason.
Mount Vernon ranked at no. 13 while Wesleyan sits at no. 22.
In the first edition of power ratings on Sept. 17, Mount Vernon ranked at no. 12 and no. 16 on Sept. 24.
For a full list of the GHSA Class-A Private and Public Power Ratings, visit
Click Here
(10) HOME OPENERS FOR MOUNT VERNON (GHSA): The Mustangs have faired well in home openers since joining the GHSA in 2012.
Mount Vernon is 5-2 and currently owns a three-game winning streak in home openers at the Glenn Campus Football Field.
The Mustangs knocked off the Mt. Pisgah Patriots 41-21on August 24.
In 2016, Mount Vernon bested Walker 23-16 on Sept. 2.
Last season, the Mustangs shutout Whitefield 28-0 at home on August 25.
(11) HOMECOMINGS for MOUNT VERNON SINCE 2014: The Mustangs are 3-2 in Homecoming games dating back to the 2014 campaign.
Mount Vernon most recently knocked off rival Holy Innocents 32-29 on Friday, Sept. 28.
Mount Vernon defeated Cross Keys 21-7 in 2014 before falling to Wheeler County (2015) 28-14 and to Holy Innocents (2016) 23-13.
The Mustangs got back in the win column on Homecoming 2017 with a 42-14 win vs. Landmark Christian.
The Mustangs are averaging 23 points per game in Homecoming contests since 2014.
(12) PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR MOUNT VERNON:
- Sr. RB/WR Austin Douglas: Racked up four touchdowns in Mount Vernon’s 32-29 victory over Holy Innocents on Sept. 28. Finished with 150 yards rushing on 13 carries.
- Soph. QB Blake Kytle: Finished 7-for-18 with 176 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in Mount Vernon’s 32-29 region win vs. Holy Innocents on Sept. 28. For the year, Kytle has thrown for 1,230 yards and 16 touchdowns.
- Sr. WR John Watson: Watson leads the team in receiving with 302 yards on nine catches with five touchdowns.
(13) PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR WESLEYAN:
- Fr. QB JC French: Averaging 158 yards per game. Has completed 81 passes in 133 attempts for 948 yards and six touchdowns.
- Sr. RB Andrew Lore: Averaging 8.2 yards per carry and 30 yards per game rushing. Scored two touchdowns in Wesleyan’s 48-0 victory over Our Lady of Mercy on Sept. 14.
- Sr. WR JD Kavel: Averaging 60 yards per game and 12.2 yards per reception. Picked up a touchdown in Wesleyan’s win over Our Lady of Mercy on Sept. 14 and Holy Innocents on Sept. 21.
(14) OFFENSIVE RANKINGS: The Mustangs are ranked 15th in all classifications in total offense according to MaxPreps.
Mount Vernon has totaled 1,230 yards passing on 123 attempts and 1,225 yards rushing on 128 attempts.
(15) ON DECK: The Mustangs will enjoy a bye-week following Friday’s game at Wesleyan.
The Mustangs are back in action on Friday, Oct. 19, hosting Our Lady of Mercy in a Region 5-1A contest.
Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the Glenn Campus Football Field.
(16) WATCH LIVE: Friday’s contest at Wesleyan will be streamed live through the NFHS Network
Click the following link to watch the Mustangs battle the Wolves:
Click Here
*Note: There may be a fee to watch.
(17) MUSTANGS ON YOUTUBE: For all the latest videos with coaches and players, subscribe to “MV Athletics” on YouTube.
(18) SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow @MV_athletics on Twitter on Friday night for in-game updates as the Mustangs take on the Wolves. The game can also be followed by using the hashtags #MVfootball, #MVwesleyan18, and #BeatWesleyan
(19) ATHLETIC WEBSITE: For all the latest scores, schedules, rosters, news releases and other athletic information, visit www.mountvernonathletics.com.
(20) LINKS: Copy and past the following links for helpful information on Friday's contest.
- Wesleyan Schedule (MaxPreps):
Click Here
- Wesleyan Roster (MaxPreps):
Click Here
- Wesleyan Stats (MaxPreps):
Click Here
- Mount Vernon Roster (MV Athletics):
Click Here
- Mount Vernon Schedule (MaxPreps):
Click Here
- Mount Vernon Stats (MaxPreps):
Click Here
- Mount Vernon Game 1 Recap at Prince Avenue (MV Athletics):
Click Here
- Mount Vernon Game 2 Recap vs. Mt. Pisgah (MV Athletics):
Click Here
- Mount Vernon Game 3 Recap at FPD (MV Athletics):
Click Here
- Mount Vernon Game 4 Recap at Trinity Christian (MV Athletics):
Click Here
- Mount Vernon Game 5 Recap at Landmark Christian (MV Athletics):
Click Here
- Mount Vernon Game 6 Recap vs. Holy Innocents (MV Athletics):
Click Here
*Sources: The Georgia High School Football Historians Association, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Georgia High School Football Daily, Recruit GA and MaxPreps aided in this report. For more information, contact Mount Vernon Asst. AD Chandler Lee at clee@mountvernonschool.org.
