Alan Smithee, Section618.com

MARION — The Mt. Vernon Rams used an offensive scheme from the 19th century to overcome their injuries in Friday night’s loss at Marion. For the Marion Wildcats, it was business as usual in their 20-14 win over their conference foe.

Missing both quarterbacks Peyton McMillen and Malakai Mays, the Rams employed an offensive formation first utilized by Yale in 1894 and it almost led them to victory.

Mt. Vernon almost scored first but a touchdown run by Mylan Nettles was one of two called back due to an offensive penalty. Scoreless after the first quarter, the Wildcats got on the board first thanks to Patrick Walker reeling a Callahan Roper touchdown pass.

The Rams would go on a 14-0 run thanks to touchdown runs by Nettles and Navontae Nesbit.

After a Marion punt late in the first half, an aggressive Rams bid would come up short after a Nesbit pass was picked off. The Wildcats used that opportunity to tie the game going into halftime after Roper hooked up with Sam Adkins for a score with seconds remaining.

The game winner would prove to be in the third quarter whenever Roper found William True from 27-yards out. The 20-14 score held through a Rams challenge late in the fourth when Mt. Vernon would simply run out of time. Mt. Vernon tried a pass in the closing seconds but Nesbit’s attempt to handoff to Mays for a halfback pass came up short.

The Wildcats are 3-0 travel to Kentucky next week while the 1-2 Rams host Collinsville for their home opener. You can listen to that game on WMIX-AM 940 & 96.5 FM or WATCH live on the WMIX Sports YouTube Channel & Section618.com Mobile App.

Nesbit finished with 43 carries for 238 yards for the Rams.