MUSTANG FAN GUIDE: FOOTBALL AT ATHENS ACADEMY (GHSA CLASS-A PRIVATE SWEET 16)

Mustang Fan Guide: Football at Athens Academy (GHSA Class-A Private Sweet 16)

STAFF

MV Athletics | 11/16/2018

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. - The Mount Vernon varsity football team returns to action for the twelfth time in 2018, traveling to Athens Academy on Friday, Nov. 16 for the second round of the GHSA Class-A Private State Football Tournament.

As a reminder, admission is $10 for all spectators. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online at GoFanHS.

Below is the season's twelfth Mustang Fan Guide that includes game notes and other information about the upcoming contest.












QUICK FACTS:
MOUNT VERNON (2018): 8-3 (5-2 Reg. 5-1A)
Home: 5-0; 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: 48-26
Record at Mount Vernon: 25-19
Region Championships: None
State Championships: None
Overall Home Record (GHSA): 16-19
Overall Away Record (GHSA): 13-26
Overall Record (GHSA): 29-46
Overall Program Record: 48-90-0
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), W 41-28 vs. Savannah Country Day (Nov. 9)
2018 Loses: L 55-27 at Prince Avenue (August 17), L 24-19 at Wesleyan (Oct. 5), L 42-21 at ELCA (Oct. 26). W 21-3 vs. Strong Rock (Nov. 2)
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).


ATHENS ACADEMY (2018): 10-0 (6-0 Reg. 8-1A)
Home: 5-0; Away: 5-0; Neutral: 0-0
City: Athens, Ga.
Colors: Forest Green and White
Mascot: Spartans
Stadium/Field: Slaughter Field
Head Coach: Josh Alexander (5th season at Athens Academy; 5th season overall)
Career Record: 41-6
Record at Athens Academy: 41-6
Region Championships: Nine (01, 02, 04, 06, 07, 10, 12, 17, 18)
State Championships: None
Overall Home Record (since 2009): 49-9
Overall Road Record (since 2007): 37-15
Overall Neutral Record (since 2009): 0-1
Overall Program Record: 300-147-5 (since 1977)
2018 Wins: W 20-7 vs. Savannah Christian (August 17), W 28-7 at Stephens County (August 31), W 35-14 at Cherokee Bluff (Sept. 7), W 46-6 at Towns County (Sept. 21), W 31-27 vs. Prince Avenue (Sept. 28), W 35-28 at George Walton (Oct. 5), W 50-7 vs. Athens Christian (Oct. 12), W 40-21 at Providence Christian (Oct. 19), W 22-20 vs. Hebron Christian (Oct. 26), W 21-14 vs. Commerce (Nov. 2)
2018 Losses: None
2017 Wins: W 42-7 vs. Walker (August 18), W 48-0 vs. Lakeview (Sept. 1), W 47-0 at Athens Christian (Sept. 8), W 53-13 at Towns County (Sept. 22), W 40-20 vs. Riverside Military (Sept. 29), W 49-14 vs. Hebron Christian (Oct. 6), W 48-0 at Providence Christian (Oct. 13), W 36-3 at George Walton (Oct. 20), W 22-7 at Commerce (Oct. 27), W 32-14 vs. Prince Avenue (Nov. 3), W 56-7 vs. First Presbyterian (Nov. 17), W 38-14 vs. Savannah Country Day (Nov. 24), W 14-7 vs. Mt. Paran (Dec. 1)
2017 Losses: L 41-3 v. ELCA (Dec. 8) – Class-A Private State Finals
2017 GHSA Playoffs: W Rd. 2 vs. FPD 56-7 (Nov. 17), W Rd. 3 vs. Savannah Country Day 38-14 (Nov. 24), W Semifinals vs. Mt. Paran 14-7 (Dec. 1), L Finals v. ELCA 41-3 (Dec. 8) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium


(1) THE GAME: The Mount Vernon varsity football team returns to the gridiron on Friday, Nov. 16, traveling to Athens Academy in Athens, Ga. for the second round of the 2018 GHSA Class-A Private Football State Tournament.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Slaughter Field.


(2) LAST TIME OUT for ATHENS ACADEMY: The Spartans earned a “bye” due to finishing first in Region 8-1A.

The last time the Spartans were on the field was Friday, Nov. 2, taking down the Commerce Tigers 21-14 to remain undefeated (10-0) in 2018.

The Spartans opened the scoring two minutes into the game when Len’neth Whitehead rushed for a 21-yard touchdown.

Tied at 7-7 at halftime, the Spartans retook the lead with 10 minutes to play in the third quarter on Whitehead 45-yard rushing touchdown to make it a 14-7 game.

The Spartans added another score on a Palmer Bush six-yard pass to Barrett McLanahan for a 21-7 lead.

Commerce added a touchdown in the final period, but the Spartans held on for the victory.


(3) LAST TIME OUT for MOUNT VERNON: Mount Vernon picked up its second straight first round playoff victory, taking down the Savannah Country Day School Hornets 41-28 on Friday, Nov. 9 at the Glenn Campus Football Field.

Austin Douglas rushed for 250 yards on 24 carries with two rushing touchdowns. The senior also hauled in a 32-yard touchdown catch as well.

Mount Vernon led 14-0 at the end of the first quarter and posted 20 points in the second period for a 34-14 lead at halftime.

The Hornets added a touchdown in the third quarter and another in the fourth frame, but the Mustangs held on for the victory.

Sophomore quarterback Blake Kytle was 16-for-24 passing with 219 yards and three touchdowns.

Senior Justin Douglas paced the Mustangs in receiving with four catches, 85 yards and one touchdown.


(4) SERIES HISTORY: Friday’s contest at Athens Academy will make the first time in program history the Mustangs will meet the Spartans.

According to the Georgia High School Football Historians Association, there is no record of Mount Vernon facing Athens Academy.

(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 Athens Academy posted a 9-0 mark in Region 8-1A.

Athens Academy finished the season with a 6-0 region record while Mount Vernon posted a 5-2 mark.

(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 JOSH ALEXANDER: Alexander is his fifth year at the helm for the Spartans and has led the team to two region championships, a state championship appearance and a 41-6 overall record.

In 2017 and 2018, Alexander’s teams have met or surpassed the 10-win total.

He has coached 11 All-Region players two All-State players.


(9) GHSA CLASS-A PRIVATE POWER RATINGS: The eighth and final edition of the GHSA Class-A Private Power Ratings were released on Monday, Nov. 5.

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 finished at no. 16 while Athens Academy is no. 1.

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 two touchdowns and 250 yards on 24 carries in Mount Vernon’s 41-28 playoff victory over Savannah Country Day on Friday, Nov. 9.

Finished the game 282 yards combined rushing and receiving.

- Soph. QB Blake Kytle: In a breakout season, Kytle has thrown for over 2,000 yards while racking up 25 touchdowns.

Was 16-for-24 with 219 yards and three touchdowns in Mount Vernon’s 41-28 victory over Savannah Country Day in the first round of the state tournament on Friday, Nov. 9.

- Sr. WR Justin Douglas: Leads the Mustangs in receiving with 901 yards on 54 receptions. Has racked up 10 touchdowns to lead the team.

(11) PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR ATHENS ACADEMY:
- Jr. RB Len’neth Whitehead

-Soph. QB Palmer Bush

-Sr. WR Barret McLanahan

*No stats were available on MaxPreps at the time of this report.


(12) BRACKETS: The GHSA released the Class-A Private Football State Tournament Bracket on Monday afternoon, Nov. 5.

To view the bracket, copy and paste the following link:

Click Here



(13) 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.

(14) ON DECK: A win puts the Mustangs in the GHSA Class-A Private Elite Eight for the first time in program history.

Mount Vernon would play the day after Thanksgiving (Friday, Nov. 22) against the winner of the Holy Innocents’ (no. 24) and Calvary Day (no. 8) game.

(15) WATCH LIVE: Friday’s game will be streamed live on the NFHS Network. Copy and paste the following link to watch live:

Click Here



Note: There may be a fee to watch.

(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 Spartans. The game can also be followed by using the hashtags #MVfootball, #MVathens18, #BeatAthensAcademy, and #MVplayoffs.

(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.

- Athens Academy Schedule (MaxPreps):

Click Here



- Athens Academy Roster (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



- Mount Vernon Game 10 Recap vs. Strong Rock (MV Athletics):

Click Here


- Mount Vernon Game 11 (Rd. 1 Playoff) vs. Savannah Country Day (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.
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