Below is the season's ninth Mustang Fan Guide that includes game notes and other information about the upcoming contest.
QUICK FACTS:
MOUNT VERNON (2018): 6-2 (4-1 Reg. 5-A)
Home: 3-0; Away 3-2, 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: 46-25
Record at Mount Vernon: 23-18
Region Championships: None
State Championships: None
Overall Home Record (GHSA): 14-19
Overall Away Record (GHSA): 13-25
Overall Record (GHSA): 27-45
Overall Program Record: 46-89-0
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), W 37-0 vs. Our Lady of Mercy (Oct. 19)
2018 Loses: L 55-27 at Prince Avenue (August 17), L 24-19 at Wesleyan (Oct. 5)
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).
EAGLE’S LANDING CHRISTIAN (2018): 7-1 (5-0 Reg. 5-A)
Home: 4-0; Away: 3-1; Neutral: 0-0
City: McDonough, Ga.
Colors: Navy, Gold and White
Mascot: Chargers
Stadium/Field: Commitment Field
Head Coach: Jonathan Gess (12th season overall – all at ELCA)
Career Record: 125-27-0
Record at OLM: 125-27-0
Region Championships: Eight (8) – Last: 2017
State Championships: Four (4) – Last: 2017
Overall Home Record (since 2006): 70-11
Overall Road Record (since 2006): 51-16
Overall Neutral Record (since 2006): 4-1
Overall Program Record: 195-100-1
2018 Wins: W 41-0 vs. Morrow (August 17), W 56-0 at Heritage-Conyers (August 31), W 48-14 vs. Holy Innocents (Sept. 14), W 61-0 vs. Trinity Christian (Sept. 21), W 63-0 at Wesleyan (Sept. 28), W 77-3 vs. Our Lady of Mercy (Oct. 5), W 52-7 at Strong Rock (Oct. 19)
2018 Losses: L 17-16 at Pace Academy (August 24)
2017 Wins: W 21-14 vs. Eagle’s Landing (August 18), W 35-7 at Jonesboro (August 24), W 55-0 at Knoxville Catholic –TN (Sept. 1), W 49-19 at Holy Innocents (Sept. 15), W 45-6 vs. Wesleyan (Sept. 29), W 76-6 vs. Our Lady of Mercy (Oct. 6), W 54-0 vs. Strong Rock Christian (Oct. 20), W 70-0 at Mount Vernon (Oct. 27), W 69-7 vs. Landmark Christian (Nov. 3), W 54-0 vs. Savannah Christian (Nov. 17), W 55-0 vs. Calvary Day (Nov. 24), W 55-0 vs. Prince Avenue (Dec. 1), W 41-3 v. Athens Academy (Dec. 8 at Mercedes Benz Stadium)
2017 Losses: none
2017 GHSA Playoffs: GHSA Class-A Private State Champions (Def. Athens Academy 41-3 at Mercedes Benz Stadium on Dec. 8, 2017)
(1) THE GAME: The Mount Vernon varsity football team returns to the gridiron on Friday, Oct. 26, traveling to Class-A powerhouse Eagle’s Landing Christian for a Region 5-1A contest against the Chargers.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Commitment Field in McDonough, Ga.
(2) LAST TIME OUT for ELCA: The Chargers took down the Strong Rock Christian Patriots 52-7 on the road on Friday, Oct. 19.
The Chargers led 3-0 at the end of the first quarter and posted 28 points in the second period for a 31-0 halftime lead.
In the second half, the Charger defense preserved the shutout while the offense added 21 more points for the Region 5-1A victory.
The Chargers ran just 26 plays and picked up nine first downs in the victory.
Jr. RB Keaton Mitchell rushed 10 times, picking up 156 yards and four touchdowns while sophomore Josh Rogers finished with four carries, 96 yards and one touchdown.
(3) LAST TIME OUT for MOUNT VERNON: The Mustangs got back in the win column after a ‘bye’ week by defeating the Our Lady of Mercy Bobcats 37-0 on Friday, Oct. 19 at the Glenn Campus Football Field.
The Mustangs jumped out to a 20-0 lead at the end of the first quarter and added 17 points in the second period to force a running clock for the duration of the second half.
Sophomore quarterback Blake Kytle was 6-for-7, throwing for 122 yards and two touchdowns while senior Parker Corley was 4-for-5 passing with 45 yards and one touchdown.
Senior RB Austin Douglas picked up 100 yards rushing on three carries and scored three touchdowns.
Justin Douglas finished with 100 yards receiving on three catches with one touchdown as well.
(4) SERIES HISTORY: Friday’s contest against ELCA will mark the seventh time the Mustangs will meet the Chargers in program history.
ELCA holds a 6-0 lead in the series, taking the 2017 match-up 70-0.
(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 than 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 and CURRENT: Mount Vernon finished the 2017 season with a 2-4 record in Region 5-1A play.
ELCA took first in Region 5-1A in 2017 with a 6-0 record.
Entering play on Friday night, the Mustangs are 4-1 in region play while ELCA sits at 5-0.
(7) UP FOR GRABS: A win over ELCA on Friday night would mean that Mount Vernon, Wesleyan and ELCA would be tied for first in the Region 5-1A standings heading into the final week of play.
(8) 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.
(9) A CLOSER LOOK AT HEAD COACH JONATHAN GESS: Gess has turned ELCA into a Class-A juggernaut since taking over the program in 2007.
A former strength and conditioning coach and assistant coach at First Presbyterian Day School in Macon, Ga., Gess has guided the Chargers to four GHSA Class-A Private State Championships, including back-to-back-to-back titles from 2015-17.
Since joining the Chargers, Gess, a former collegiate player at The Citadel, has never had a losing season and has racked up eight straight Region 5-1A Titles since 2010.
His current record stands at 125-27-0.
Gess led the Chargers to undefeated seasons in 2016 (14-0) and 2017 (14-0).
During his tenure, 55 players have made the Class-A All-State Team.
(10) GHSA CLASS-A PRIVATE POWER RATINGS: The sixth edition of the GHSA Class-A Private Power Ratings were released on Monday, Oct. 22.
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. 16 while ELCA is at no.2 behind Athens Academy.
For a full list of the GHSA Class-A Private and Public Power Ratings, visit
Click Here
(11) A LOT OF CHARGER POINTS: ELCA has scored a total of 414 points in 2018, averaging nearly 52 points per contest.
(12) NOT A LOT OF POINTS ALLOWED: ELCA has also caused opponents problems on the offensive end with a stifling defense.
The Chargers have allowed just 41 points all season, good for a five (5) points per game allowed average.
(13) PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR MOUNT VERNON:
- Sr. RB/WR Austin Douglas: The JMU commit added three touchdowns in last Friday’s 37-0 victory over Our Lady of Mercy at home. Douglas is averaging nearly 130 yards per game rushing and leads the team with a total of 19 touchdowns.
- Soph. QB Blake Kytle: Was 6-for-7 with 122 yards and two touchdowns in Mount Vernon’s 37-0 shutout over Our Lady of Mercy last Friday, Oct. 19.
For the year, Kytle has thrown for over 1,500 yards, has a completion percentage over 60 percent and is averaging 197 yards per game passing.
- Sr. WR Justin Douglas: Totaled three receptions and two touchdowns in Mount Vernon’s 37-0 victory over Our Lady of Mercy on Friday, Oct. 19.
Justin Douglas, the Southeastern Louisiana commit, is averaging 101 yards per game receiving in 2018.
(14) PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR ELCA:
- Sr. RB Keaton Mitchell: Leads the Chargers in rushing touchdowns with 26. Averaging 166 rushing yards per game and has rushed for over 1,300 yards in 2018.
- Soph. RB Josh Rogers: Rogers is the second options for the Chargers in the run game. In 2018, Rogers has scored eight touchdowns and is averaging 76 yards per game rushing.
- Jr. WR Justin Robinson: ELCA’s leading receiver 545 yards and eight touchdowns. Averaging 70 yards per game receiving and 24 yards per reception.
(15) 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.
(16) 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.
(17) COMMITTED: Senior brothers Austin Douglas and Justin Douglas have made their commitments to playing at the next level, announced earlier this week.
Austin Douglas has officially committed to James Madison University while his twin brother will take his talents to Southeastern Louisiana next fall.
Both players will be recognized at an official signing day in December.
(18) ON DECK: The Mustangs close out the regular season on Friday, Nov. 2, hosting the Strong Rock Christian Patriots at the Glenn Campus Football Field in another Region 5-1A contest.
Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
(19) MUSTANGS ON YOUTUBE: For all the latest videos with coaches and players, subscribe to “MV Athletics” on YouTube.
(20) SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow @MV_Athletics on Twitter on Friday night for in-game updates as the Mustangs take on the Chargers. The game can also be followed by using the hashtags #MVfootball, #MVelca18, and #BeatELCA.
(21) ATHLETIC WEBSITE: For all the latest scores, schedules, rosters, news releases and other athletic information, visit www.mountvernonathletics.com.
(22) LINKS: Copy and paste the following links for helpful information on Friday's contest.
- ELCA Schedule (MaxPreps):
Click Here
- ELCA Roster (MaxPreps):
Click Here
- ELCA 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
- Mount Vernon Game 7 Recap at Wesleyan (MV Athletics):
Click Here
- Mount Vernon Game 8 Recap vs. Our Lady of Mercy (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.
