MOUNT VERNON — Since mandatory practice began on Aug. 1, the Mount Vernon Yellow Jackets have been trying to create their own identity under their new head coach, Anthony Naples.
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2011 High School Football
Scores, stories, photos and videos of the local teams from the 2011 season.
On Friday, they’ll finally get a chance to display what they’ve learned about themselves.
Mount Vernon’s first challenge will be the Lexington Minutemen, a team with enough talent to return to the Division II regional playoffs.
Last year was an off-year by Lexington’s standards. The Minutemen went 5-5, including a 2-5 record within the Ohio Cardinal Conference. Chalk that up, in part, to the loss of quarterback Collin Michael to an ACL tear.
Now, Michael’s back and ready for his senior year. There are high expectations, from his coaches and from others — the senior gave a verbal commitment to Buffalo earlier this month.
“We have to do what we can to counter (their athletes),” said Mount Vernon head coach Anthony Naples. “They have some great athletes.”
Michael isn’t the only skill player with an NCAA Division I future. Wide receiver Tyler Jackman recently committed to Youngstown State. And tight end Tanner Kearns is headed to the Indiana Hoosiers.


