Chris Hugo, Section618.com
CARBONDALE — The Carbondale Terriers appeared to be in complete control of the Mt. Vernon Rams for the better part of three quarters on Friday night at Bleyer Field. After trailing 10-0, the Terriers went on a 23-0 run to cap off a 23-10 win and even both teams records at 1-1.
Both teams ground out the first quarter clock, but the Rams finally got on the board after a 43-yard run by Mylan Nettles would eventually lead to a 1-yard QB sneak by Payton McMillen. Carbondale immediately returned the kickoff for a score, but Braylon Berry’s 79-yard return was negated by a block in the back penalty. The Terriers drive stalled and a low snap to Brock Bowlby allowed the Rams’ Aiden Weems to recover a fumble at the Terrier 35-yard line with a 37.1 seconds remaining in the 1st quarter.
Mt. Vernon would have to settle for a Blake Sanders 35-yard field goal and a 10-0 lead with 7:43 left in the half. Carbondale’s defense shutout the Rams the rest of the way and Bowlby would capitalize on a couple of good drives late in the 2nd quarter.
At the 3:44 mark Bowlby ran it in from 6-yards out and Martez Graham-Norwood punched in a two point conversion to cut the Rams lead to 10-8. A Rams drive stalled with 1:06 remaining after an injury to McMillen. The Terriers promptly sacked backup Malakai Mays on the next play setting up a deep punt that landed at the Mt. Vernon 38. With just 19.2 seconds left Bowlby added another 6-yard TD run and followed it up with a two point conversion of his own to claim at 16-10 halftime lead.
The game’s final score came with 9:35 remaining in the 3rd quarter when Graham-Norwood ran in a 5-yard score. A penalty on the two point conversion led to a Declan Hickam extra point and the Terrier lead became 23-10.
Mt. Vernon had hopes of a late comeback with 1:19 left in the game after Nettles recovered a Terriers turnover and returned 61 yards to the 39-yard line. Mays was injured on defense and to avoid further injuries the Rams would be forced to concede by kneeling on the next two plays.
Carbondale travels to Collinsville next Friday while Mt. Vernon visits Marion. You can watch Mt. Vernon at Marion on the WMIX Sports YouTube Channel and Section618.com app or listen to WMIX-AM 940 & 96.5 FM.