FORTVILLE — The Mt. Vernon defense is playing inspired football.
A week after gaining confidence and momentum in a 28-14 win against Pendleton Heights, the Marauders came out fired up Friday against New Castle.
The defense dominated the Trojans from the start, and Tyson Harley and the offense took advantage, jumping out to a 22-10 halftime lead.
The Marauders rolled from there on the way to a 43-16 victory at home on Senior Night, improving their record to 4-3 on the year and 3-2 in the Hoosier Heritage Conference.
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“We’re getting better, we’re a little more focused, we’re understanding the scheme a little bit better,” Mt. Vernon coach Mike Kirschner said. “It’s things like that. It’s about paying attention in practice and building on it. It’s a process. You’ve just gotta keep punching and hope it works out.”
Last week, it was the pass rush leading the way with 9.5 sacks. Friday night, it was the Mt. Vernon secondary taking charge.
The Marauders got one first-half sack and a ton of pressure on Trojans quarterback Drew Barber, slowing the Trojans strong passing attack right off the bat.
Barber, who came into the game with just one interception this year, was frustrated by the Marauders, going 10 of 26 for 131 yards in the first half and finishing 18 of 44 for 189 yards in the game. Mt. Vernon’s defensive backs deflected pass after pass and ended up with five interceptions and two pick-sixes on the night, the last of which chased Barber from the game.
“It was a really good night for our secondary,” Kirschner said. “Coach (Vince) Lidy did a great job working that scheme, getting them to stay in position. We felt like we could get him to throw some things he didn’t want to throw, and it paid off.”
While the defense was taking control, the Mt. Vernon offense was rolling. Harley was nearly perfect in the first half, going 13 of 17 for 195 yards and 2 TDs.
He found DaRell Jackson for a 39-yard TD in the second quarter, then found Braxton Trittipo after a critical New Castle mistake.
The Trojans (4-3, 2-3), who had just scored to cut the deficit to 15-10, stopped the Marauders on a 3rd and 18 late in the half. A late hit on Harley brought out a roughing the passer flag, and Harley found Trittipo from 12 yards out on the next play for a TD.
“They were playing everybody up tight to the line of scrimmage, everyone within seven yards,” Kirschner said. “All of a sudden it’s hard to run the ball when they have nine guys sitting in the box. You start running the play-action, people get behind people, next thing you know you’re throwing the ball pretty well.”
Kenny Dobbins intercepted a New Castle pass on the first Trojans drive of the second half. Harley immediately found P.J. Sterrett for a 45-yard gain, taking the ball to the New Castle 1-yard line. Rylan Cole punched the ball in on the next play, and Cam Cole intercepted Barber on the next drive, effectively putting the game out of reach with a 29-10 lead late in the 3rd quarter.
Rylan Cole then had his second interception of the night, returning it almost 40 yards for a TD and a 26-point lead. Austin Lewis then got his own pick-six, returning an interception 60 yards for a TD of his own late in the game.
Rylan Cole was as big on offense as he was defense, rushing 19 times for 84 yards and two rushing touchdowns to go with his defensive score.
“He’s stepping his game up,” Kirschner said. “He’s a sophomore; he’s got a lot of playing left to do. He’s getting better every week.”
Harley finished 17 of 22 for 265 yards and 2 TDs on the night. Rylan Cole rushed 19 times for 84 yards, and Trittipo led the way with 7 catches for 91 yards.
Mt. Vernon, above .500 again, hosts Shelbyville (1-6, 1-4) next week in the final regular-season home game of the year.