Below is the season's tenth Mustang Fan Guide that includes game notes and other information about the upcoming contest.
QUICK FACTS:
MOUNT VERNON (2018): 6-3 (4-2 Reg. 5-1A)
Home: 3-0; Away 3-3, 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: 46-26
Record at Mount Vernon: 23-19
Region Championships: None
State Championships: None
Overall Home Record (GHSA): 14-19
Overall Away Record (GHSA): 13-26
Overall Record (GHSA): 27-46
Overall Program Record: 46-90-0
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), L 42-21 at ELCA (Oct. 26)
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).
STRONG ROCK CHRISTIAN (2018): 3-6 (2-4 Reg. 5-1A)
Home: 2-3; Away: 1-3; Neutral: 0-0
City: Locust Grove, Ga.
Colors: Navy, Scarlet and Silver
Mascot: Patriots
Stadium/Field: Patriot Stadium
Head Coach: Tommy Webb (5th season at Strong Rock; 17th season overall)
Career Record: 64-109
Record at Strong Rock: 16-34
Region Championships: None
State Championships: None
Overall Home Record (since 2007): 20-37
Overall Road Record (since 2007): 18-40-1
Overall Neutral Record (since 2007): 0-0
Overall Program Record: 36-78-1
2018 Wins: W 33-31 at Lakeview Academy (August 24), W 48-20 vs. Landmark (Sept. 14), W 49-12 vs. Our Lady of Mercy (Sept. 21).
2018 Losses: L 48-20 at Union Grove (August 31), L 49-7 vs. Jackson (Sept. 7), L 42-0 at Trinity Christian (Sept. 28), L 45-41 at Holy Innocents (Oct. 5), L 52-7 vs. Eagle’s Landing Christian (Oct. 19), L 52-13 vs. Wesleyan (Oct. 26)
2017 Wins: W 33-13 vs. Providence Christian (August 18), W 25-0 vs. King’s Ridge (Sept. 1), W 38-28 vs. Holy Innocents (Oct. 6), W 35-14 at Landmark (Oct. 12), W 22-15 vs. Mount Vernon (Nov. 3)
2017 Losses: L 20-17 vs. North Cobb Christian (August 25), L 49-7 at Pike County (Sept. 8), L 21-16 at Our Lady of Mercy (Sept. 22), L 54-0 at Eagle’s Landing Christian (Oct. 20), L 38-0 at Wesleyan (Oct. 27).
2017 GHSA Playoffs: L Rd. 1 at Calvary Day 42-7 (Nov. 10)
(1) THE GAME: The Mount Vernon varsity football team returns to the gridiron on Friday, Nov. 2, hosting the Strong Rock Christian Patriots in the regular season finale.
Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at the Glenn Campus Football Field.
(2) LAST TIME OUT for STRONG ROCK: The Patriots dropped their fourth consecutive contest, falling to Region 5-1A foe Wesleyan 52-13 in Norcross, Ga. on Friday, Oct. 26.
Wesleyan jumped out to a 21-7 lead at the end of the first quarter and led 38-7 at halftime.
The Wolves outscored the Patriot 14-6 over the final two quarters to seal the victory.
Senior quarterback Demetrius Knight was 10-for-15 passing with 123 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Knight also led the team in rushing on 18 carries for 124 yards and one touchdown.
Senior Nick Hassan paced the Patriots in receiving with five catches, 49 yards and one touchdown.
(3) LAST TIME OUT for MOUNT VERNON: The Mustangs dropped to Class-A powerhouse ELCA 42-21 last Friday, Oct. 26, in McDonough, Ga.
The Mustangs controlled the tempo for the majority of the game, but couldn’t overcome a late Charger rally in the fourth quarter.
The Mustangs and Chargers battled to a 14-14 tie at halftime and each traded touchdowns in the third period for a 21-21 game going into the final frame.
But the Chargers capitalized late to outscore Mount Vernon 21-0 over the final 12 minutes of play.
Sophomore quarterback Blake Kytle was 20-for-24 with 309 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
Senior Parker Corley came in during goal-line situations and picked up two rushing touchdowns as well.
Seniors John Watson and Austin Douglas led the team in receiving with 106 and 97 yards, respectively.
Keaton Mitchell led the way for ELCA with three touchdowns and 241 yards rushing on 23 carries.
(4) SERIES HISTORY: Friday’s contest against Strong Rock marks the eighth time in program history the Mustangs will meet the Patriots.
Strong Rock holds a 4-3 series lead, including a 22-15 victory last year at home in Locust Grove, Ga.
(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 while Strong posted a 3-3 mark.
Strong Rock is currently 2-4 in Region 5-1A action while Mount Vernon is 4-2.
(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 TOMMY WEBB: Webb has been at the helm for Strong Rock since the 2014 season.
During that time, the Patriots have a 16-34 record.
Prior to coming to Strong Rock, Webb spent eight seasons (2003-10) at Fayette County, three seasons (2000-02) at Jonesboro and one season (1999) at Riverdale.
His overall record stands at 64-109.
(9) GHSA CLASS-A PRIVATE POWER RATINGS: The seventh edition of the GHSA Class-A Private Power Ratings were released on Monday, Oct. 29.
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 stands at no. 15 while Strong Rock sits at no. 30.
For a full list of the GHSA Class-A Private and Public Power Ratings, visit
Click Here
(10) PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR MOUNT VERNON:
- Sr. RB/WR Austin Douglas: Rushed for 164 yards on 14 carries in Mount Vernon’s 42-21 loss at ELCA on Oct. 26. Also scored one touchdown on a pass from sophomore quarterback Blake Kytle.
- Sr. QB Parker Corley: Rushed for two touchdowns in Mount Vernon’s 42-21 loss at ELCA on Oct. 26. Was used a goal-line threat when the Mustangs needed to score in the red zone.
- Sr. WR John Watson: Led the Mustangs in receiving against ELCA last Friday with seven receptions and 106 yards, averaging 15.1 yards per reception.
(11) PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR STRONG ROCK:
- Sr. QB Demetrius Knight: Has thrown for over 1,100 yards and is averaging 123 yards passing per game. The dual threat quarterback also leads the Patriots in rushing with 1,098 yards on 136 carries with 14 touchdowns.
- Soph. RB Jackson Wilkerson: Wilkerson is the second-best rushing option statistically for the Patriots, averaging 70 yards per game rushing. Has rushed for 562 yards on 80 carries with five touchdowns.
- Sr. WR Nick Hassan: Strong Rock’s leading receiver has 37 receptions, 681 yards and seven touchdowns. Averaging nearly 76 yards per game receiving in 2018.
(12) SENIOR NIGHT FOR FALL SPORTS: The Mount Vernon Athletic Department will honor the Class of 2019 for those participating in cheerleading, cross country, football, softball and volleyball.
The following seniors will be recognized at halftime for Friday’s contest:
CHEER: Aleigha Ellis, Jordan Helton, Maddy Long, Jill Parker, Audrey Seeber.
CROSS COUNTRY: Ashley Koch, Elizabeth McGinnis, Maya Munoz, Nina Toller, Robert Blumencranz, Carson Bargeron, Spencer Lucas, Jack Riekena, Alston Schmelzer and Brady Vincent.
FOOTBALL: Jake Bloodworth, Parker Corley, Austin Douglas, Justin Douglas, Eric Harris, Hayden Moore, Will Mitcham, Jack Mullen and John Watson.
SOFTBALL: Madeline Hudgins and MC Springer.
VOLLEYBALL: Melina Castellon, Jackie Mecke, MacKeznie Morris, Anne Reavely, Zoe Stupek, Courtney Walsh.
(13) WHAT’S AT STAKE: A win for the Mustangs over Strong Rock on Friday afternoon would nearly guarantee a first round state playoff home game on Friday, Nov. 9.
A loss could mean the Mustangs would travel in the first round.
All final GHSA Class-A Power Ratings and State Playoff Brackets will be released by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 6.
(14) 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.
(15) ON DECK: The Mustangs will prepare for their first round GHSA Class-A Private State Playoff game, scheduled for next Friday, Nov. 9.
Opponent and time will be determined early next week.
(16) MUSTANGS ON YOUTUBE: For all the latest videos with coaches and players, subscribe to “MV Athletics” on YouTube.
(17) SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow @MV_Athletics on Twitter on Friday afternoon for in-game updates as the Mustangs take on the Patriots. The game can also be followed by using the hashtags #MVfootball, #MVsr18, and #BeatStrongRock.
(18) ATHLETIC WEBSITE: For all the latest scores, schedules, rosters, news releases and other athletic information, visit www.mountvernonathletics.com.
(19) LINKS: Copy and paste the following links for helpful information on Friday's contest.
- Strong Rock Schedule (MaxPreps):
Click Here
- Strong Rock Roster (MaxPreps):
Click Here
- Strong Rock 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 Association (GHSA), 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.
