ATLANTA - The Mount Vernon Varsity Football team had a season-opener to remember on Friday afternoon, August 18, erasing an 18-point deficit in the final quarter to defeat the Wesleyan Wolves 23-21 at Ron Hill Field.
With under 30 seconds to play in regulation, Sam Nazarian broke free from the line of scrimmage and rushed to the end zone, falling on the pylon to give the Mustangs the game-winning touchdown.
The momentum shifted in the fourth quarter with the Mustangs trailing 21-3.
Bristan DeRocher intercepted a Wesleyan pass to begin the final period and returned it for a touchdown to pull Mount Vernon within 11 at 21-10.
After a Mustang stop on defense, Mount Vernon struck again with 6:38 to play in the fourth quarter on a Nazarian rush up the middle for a 13-yard score.
Although the PAT failed, Mount Vernon was within five at 21-16.
The Wolves were in control for the first three quarters.
Wesleyan struck first with 7:00 to play in the opening quarter on a Bryce Gillis 6-yard touchdown reception to make it 7-0 in favor of the Wolves after David Camargo's extra point.
In the second quarter the Wolves added to their lead on an Owen Hodges 8-yard touchdown catch from Ben Brown with 4:35 to play in the first half to go ahead 14-0 after the PAT.
Mount Vernon got on the board on a Nathan Webb 31-yard field goal with time expiring in the second quarter but still trailed 14-3 at halftime.
Wesleyan scored its final touchdown of the game with 3:54 to play in the third quarter on a Connor Roush 3-yard reception, giving the Wolves a 21-3 lead.
Nazarian finished 14-for-25 throwing with 163 yards and one interception.
The senior also rushed seven times, totaling 32 yards and two touchdowns.
Walker Warshaw paced the Mustangs in rushing with 110 yards on 20 tries.
Cole Palmer led the Mustangs in receiving with seven catches for 78 yards.
The Mustangs (1-0) are back on the gridiron on Friday, August 25, traveling to George Walton Academy.
Kickoff against the Bulldogs is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Monroe, Ga.
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About The Mount Vernon School
Established in 1972, The Mount Vernon School, serves over 1,250 students in preschool through grade 12 on our 40-acre Atlanta campus. As a leading visionary independent school, Mount Vernon’s brand of innovation and entrepreneurship has emerged over the last decade, impacting schools in the US and across the globe through Mount Vernon Ventures, a research, strategy, and consulting division of the School. In addition, in 2021 the School launched a global online program for grade 9-12 to meet the needs of today’s flexible family. Through established partnerships with Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, and civic environments, our mission is to design a better world...together.
FOURTH QUARTER SURGE SENDS MUSTANGS PAST WESLEYAN IN SEASON OPENER, 23-21
