Chris Hugo, Section618.com

Mt. Vernon — The North County (MO) Raiders were shutting out the Mt. Vernon Rams until some offense finally sparked in the second half en route to a 28-14 win at Ken Hunt Stadium on Friday.

The Rams were held to just one first down in the first half as the Raiders led 7-0 for much of the game. That score came on the opening play of the 2nd quarter whenever Carson Logan ran it in on a 4th and goal from the two-yard line.

A late 3rd quarter effort saw Mt. Vernon move the chains whenever Jhymear Smith-Henson exploded for a 25-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7 following the point after attempt with 1:04 left. The following Raiders drive stalled and saw a punt pin Mt. Vernon back to their own 28. Navontae Nesbit took over.

Nesbit used 3 runs to setup a long 53-yard touchdown run to give the Rams the lead, 14-7. Then another Raiders drive stalled and led to a punt to the Rams 44-yard-line but a kicking team penalty pushed it to the North County 41. On the very next play Nesbit dialed up a 41-yard touchdown run to stretch the Rams lead to 21-7.

Raiders QB Henry Allebach found Johnathan Wruck for a 9-yard catch on the next drive to cut their deficit to 21-14. Nesbit would add a 38-yard touchdown run to setup the final score of 28-14.

Allebach was 20/30 for 185-yards and a TD for North County while Wruck had 6 catches for 66-yards and a TD. The Rams got another 225+ yard night out of Nesbit on 24 carries. Nesbit is now over 700 yards for the season with 6 rushing touchdowns.

North County falls to 1-4 and returns to Missouri district play when Festus makes the visit to Bonne Terre. The Rams improve to 3-2 and welcome Cahokia next week for South Seven Conference play. That game will be on WMIX-AM 940 & 96.5 FM and the Section618.com App with video available also on the WMIX Sports YouTube Channel.