MOUNT VERNON — The 2009 high school football season got off to a rough start, literally, on Friday night for area teams. Storms rolled through Central Ohio causing postponements and cancellations, and in Mount Vernon, it was no different.
Postponements
Football fans will have to wait another day for some of their favorite high school teams to finish up their opening day games from Friday. Lightning forced the postponements of three local game on the schedule. The rescheduled games are set for today at the following times:
Highland at Fredericktown, 7 p.m.
Lexington at Mount Vernon, 7 p.m.
Utica at Grandview Heights, 3 p.m.
The Yellow Jackets were hosting the Lexington Minutemen in the season opener at Yellow Jacket Stadium, and played nearly a quarter before lightning stopped play. Lexington led 7-3 with 1:29 to play in the first quarter. Continued lightning and, eventually, rain and thunder postponed the game, which will be resume tonight at 7.
Lexington came into the game picked by many to win the Division II State title this season, but Mount Vernon was giving the Minutemen a run for their money. Lexington quarterback, and University of Michigan signee, Courtney Avery looked like he might pick apart the Jackets on the opening drive, completing a pair of first-down passes. His third attempt was picked off by Mount Vernon senior Matt Boucher, however, and the Jackets were in business.
Mount Vernon kept it on the ground on its first drive, moving the ball well into Lexington’s half of the field. The drive ended at the 33-yard line, however, after back-to-back incompletions by quarterback Kody Green.
Lexington took over at its own 20 after Zach Roden’s punt made it to the end zone, and six plays later, the Minutemen found the end zone. Avery completed a pair of passes for a first down and, after two running plays, found Darrin Dorsey sprinting down the right side of the field. Dorsey made the catch and completed the 53-yard score. C.J. Hassman’s kick was good, giving Lexington a 7-0 lead with 5:22 to play.
The Yellow Jackets answered on their next drive, which was set up on a 64-yard kickoff return by Leevi Stump. Mount Vernon failed to pick up a first down, but moved the ball to the 22-yard line. Facing fourth-and-long, Mount Vernon coach Gary Keller chose to test the leg of his new kicker, senior Nick Sahr, who booted a 39-year field goal to get his team on the board with 2:40 left.
Lexington took over on its next drive, but faced a third-and-4 situation when the game was called.
The game will pick up where it left off Friday night and be played in its entirety.
