It’s a fall sweep for Mount Vernon teams

MOUNT VERNON - A state football semifinal berth has solidified a fall sports sweep for Mount Vernon.

For the second consecutive year, the Mustangs have punched their ticket to the UNI-Dome with a 42-32 victory last Friday over Williamsburg.

Mount Vernon now has qualified for state in girls' and boys' cross country (with the boys claiming the championship), volleyball (with the team playing in semifinals today) and football.

A lot has changed since the Mustangs played in the Dome last year.

'We aren't kids anymore,” said senior lineman Tristan Wirfs. 'Last year we were a bunch of sophomores and juniors who had never played in big games like the ones we did at state. But now we've been around the block a few times (and) are ready for the big stage, and we're definitely hungry from last year.”

Senior running back Jack Cochrane has been the leader on and off the field all year, and has been a crucial part of the 'Stang's playoff run.

'This team is a tight-knit group, and you know we always just talk about getting better and working hard each day. That's definitely been a theme this year,” said Cochrane on the team's work ethic and what they've been doing to avenge last year's loss in the state title game.

'We may not have been the best team at the beginning of the year, but we've come in to work every single day. And now heading into the state tournament, we're prepared. We've done a lot to make sure that we don't come up short this year, and we've really grown as a team by doing so,” added Cochrane, who had 89 yards rushing on 12 carries and a touchdown, along with 45 yards receiving and two touchdowns against Williamsburg. He also put together an incredible performance on defense with 9.5 tackles and an interception.

Becoming a cohesive unit has been pivotal part of accomplishing the Mustangs' goal of winning the state championship.

'Last year was more or less a new coaching staff, we were trying to feel each other out,” said junior lineman John Butz. 'We were close last year but I feel like we're more of a family this time around.

'This year is a lot different for me personally; last year I played in a few packages on defense, and ended up playing a lot in the Dome. But this year I'm starting on offense and defense essentially, it's a lot more responsibility. But I'm used to it now and I'm ready to for the big games.”

Mount Vernon was able to outlast Williamsburg in a game dominated in time of possession by the Raiders (31:13 to Mount Vernon's 15:42). This was due to Mount Vernon's ability to put together quick scoring drives and get their offense off the field. This, however, put a tremendous stress and fatigue on the defense, which caught up in the second half.

The Mustangs played Williamsburg two weeks ago on Oct. 21, winning 56-21 to claim the district title.

'We got off to a great start,” Mount Vernon Coach Lance Pederson said. 'Coming into the game we knew that Williamsburg was well coached, and that a lot of things went well for us last time we played them. We knew it was going to be a lot harder, any time you play a team two weeks after beating them heavily there's a lot of pressure. Especially if you are expected to win like we were.”