From unranked to unbeaten: Mount Vernon rides internal belief to state championship game

CEDAR FALLS — Mount Vernon was not in the state contender conversation to start the football season.

The only talk of state title potential occurred in its own locker room. Maybe a few mentioned it over morning coffee in the basement of Bauman’s Clothing or while making small talk in the aisles of Gary’s Foods.

But, the close-knit Mustangs went from unranked to undeniable with each victory.

“No one in the entire state thought we’d be in this position,” Mount Vernon Coach Lance Pedersen said. “When you get a group of guys believing in each other, who love each other and care truly about each other, it’s amazing what you can do.”

Second-ranked Mount Vernon proved all doubters wrong, reaching the Class 3A state football title game against No. 1-ranked and defending champion Harlan Friday at the UNI-Dome, beginning at 1 p.m. The Mustangs return to the finals for the first time since a Class 2A runner-up finish in 2015.

“It’s great to get Mount Vernon back on the map,” Mount Vernon senior Henry Ryan said. “That was a tough (semifinal) game and a tough opponent (a 14-6 win over Humboldt). We have to clean up some little things and we will be able to hang.”

Rankings mean little and don’t dictate results. The Mustangs (12-0) made certain of that as they produced their first unbeaten regular season since 2002. A 17-14 win over then-No. 2 Solon, snapping a 19-game losing streak to the Spartans, catapulted Mount Vernon to fifth. The Mustangs made the steady climb to No. 2.

Unity and support powered them to a district title, a 10th championship game and at least a chance for their first state football title since 1994.

“Every day getting 1 percent better,” Ryan said. “We’re a very close team. We love each other. We work for our brothers next to us. Just the camaraderie we have, the chemistry we have is what has gotten us (here).

“If someone messes up, we pick them up. We’re accountable.”

Much of that mentality is fostered by Pedersen, who has balanced leading the team with being there for his father and West Branch head coach, Butch Pedersen, as he battles cancer. In a rare feat, the Pedersens led separate teams to the semifinals in the same season.

Despite the diagnosis, Butch was on the sideline for the Bears’ 1A state semifinal appearance. Lance was by his side to protect him from any physical accidents from plays on the field that extended out of bounds.

The Mustangs have done this as much for him and the coaches as they do for one another.

“He means everything to us,” quarterback Joey Rhomberg said. “He’s such a big inspiration to us. He works so hard for us. He loves us and we love him back. It’s just awesome to play for a guy like that.”

Mount Vernon has found success with a team-first mentality. Sure, Rhomberg has produced big passing numbers and sits among 3A leaders, but he has had a bevy of receivers to throw to and rack up yardage. The defense has been as stout as any, allowing less than a touchdown a game with five shutouts, but doesn’t have a big star. Brad Vislisel, however, ranks second in sacks. Most of it is a total team effort.

“I think you saw (last Saturday night) we were able to do a lot of things,” Pedersen said. “We don’t have a single guy that stands out. We have guys that work hard every single play and they’re just a pleasure to be around.

“I have an amazing coaching staff. I have a great group of guys that continue to go out. It’s a pleasure to have one more opportunity with them.”

Harlan (11-1) sits on the other end of the spectrum. The Cyclones have more finals appearances (23) and more championships (13) than any other program in the state. They have also held the No. 1 spot all season, even after an opening-game defeat to 4A finalist Council Bluffs Lewis Central.

Mount Vernon has been the underdog all season and it will embrace that role one more time.

“They’re a great team,” Rhomberg said of Harlan. “We’re excited to get after them.”