Mt. Vernon’s George Burhenn makes the game-winning catch for a touchdown against Greenfield-Central’s Will DeJarnett during their game on Friday.
Tom Russo | The Daily Reporter
FORTVILLE — Mt. Vernon outscored Greenfield-Central 14-0 in the fourth quarter to earn a 35-28 come-from-behind victory over the Cougars at Hancock Health Stadium Friday.
Freshman quarterback Luke Ertel connected with 6-foot, 5-inch receiver, and Purdue commit, George Burhenn with the go-ahead touchdown with 3:45 left in the game.
It was the second Ertel-to-Burhenn scoring play of the half. They hooked up early in the second half on a 35-yarder to tie the game 21-21.
Greenfield-Central had taken a 21-14 lead when Owen Anderson took the second-half kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown.
It was the first win of the season for the Class 4A defending state champions, ranked No. 10 in the state. The Marauders had lost to Class 6A Noblesville in the season-opener and to Class 5A state-ranked Franklin last week. It was Mt. Vernon’s first home game of the year.
“It was good to be on the other end of the scoreboard,” Mt. Vernon coach Vince Lidy said. “Our kids play hard and give effort.
“(George) is just bigger and better than the guys he’s going up against. The ball is up and (at 6-5) he has a chance to make a play.”
Greenfield-Central came in unbeaten and ranked No. 8 in Class 4A.
It was the Hoosier Heritage Conference opener for both teams.
The Marauders have won 19 straight HHC games and 25 straight, including six sectional games, against HHC opponents. It was their sixth straight win over G-C, which was looking for its first victory in the series since 2017.
On both fourth-quarter touchdowns, Mt. Vernon had drives aided by third-down Cougar penalties.
On the game tying score, a 1-yard run by Ashton Julian with 11:29 left in the game, the drive was kept alive by a G-C personal foul penalty.
On the go ahead score, a defensive holding call gave Mt. Vernon the ball on the Cougars 23.
On its final possession, Greenfield-Central got to the Mt. Vernon 39, but Marauder defensive back Ren Davis, on an openfield tackle, and lineman Tyler Kimberly, on a pass deflection, made the plays to seal the victory.
“I’m proud of our guys,” Lidy added.
“Penalties, kids losing composure, miscues, cost us some serious problems,” Greenfield-Central coach Travis Nolting said. “We beat ourselves.”
Prior to Mt. Vernon’s 14-0 fourth quarter, Andrew Zellers scored on a 1-yard run with 5:26 left in the third quarter to give the Cougars the lead, 28-21.
In the first half, Mt. Vernon scored on its initial possession. With a 27-yard kickoff return by Eli Bridenthal, the Marauders started with good field position at their 42. Nine plays later sophomore running back Joliba Brogan scored on a 7-yard run. Rylan Vinard added the PAT. The Marauders got inside the G-C 10 after a 29-yard gain by Tre Jones on an end around.
Greenfield-Central didn’t take long to tie the game. Anderson, a 21-yarder, and Brayden Herrell, a 31-yarder, each had big runs on the scoring drive. Anderson finished it off with a 6-yard score with 5:15 left in the opening period. Aaron Lee added the point-after.
G-C’s Jacob Stotts picked off Ertel twice, but the Cougars weren’t able to get any points.
Mt. Vernon regained the lead midway into the second quarter. The big play of the drive was a 48-yard completion from Ertel to Jones. It got the ball to the Cougar 14. Four plays later, Bridenthal, playing quarterback, scored on a 1-yard run.
The Marauders had three first-half turnovers. The last of the first half was a reception and fumble by Jones. G-C recovered, but on the play Stotts was injured. After a lengthy delay, he left the field in an ambulance.
The Cougars took over from at their own 46 with 2:45 left until the half. Sophomore quarterback Dallas Freeman, on a scramble with time running out, scored on a 17-yard run with just 2.9 seconds left. Lee added the PAT to tie it, 14-14.
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Mt. Vernon 35, Greenfield-Central 28
Greenfield-Central (2-1, 0-1);7;7;14;0;-;28
Mt. Vernon (1-2, 1-0);7;7;7;14;-;35
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
MV – Joliba Brogan 7 run (Rylan Vinard kick), 7:37
GC – Owen Anderson 6 run (Aaron Lee kick), 5:15
2nd Quarter
MV – Eli Bridenthal 1 run (Vinard kick), 5:27
GC – Dallas Freeman 17 run (Lee kick), :02.9
3rd Quarter
GC – Anderson 97 kickoff return (Lee kick), 11:46
MV – George Burhenn 35 pass from Luke Ertel (Vinard kick), 9:41
GC – Andrew Zellers 1 run (Lee kick), 5:26
4th Quarter
MV – Ashton Julian 1 run (Vinard kick), 5:27
MV –Burhenn 25 pass from Ertel (Vinard kick), 3:45
