Solon extends win streak over Mount Vernon to 19 straight

Solon wide receiver Sean Stahle breaks a tackle from Mount Vernon defensive back Henry Ryan during a football game between Mount Vernon and Solon at Mount Vernon Field on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021. The Spartans defeated the Mustangs 41-27. (Jerod Ringwald/The Daily Iowan)

MOUNT VERNON — The first drive of the second half set the tempo for Solon.

The No. 6 Spartans needed electric third and fourth quarters to take down No. 9 Mount Vernon, 41-27, on Friday evening.

Solon (2-0) began its first possession of the third quarter on its own 5. It took the Spartans just seven plays to march down the field for a touchdown.

The culprits of the efficient second-half start: Quarterback Blake Timmons and running back Sean Stahle.

“We know we can stretch the field in the pass game, but having a running back like Sean really helps in the run game,” Timmons said.

Solon quarterback Blake Timmons celebrates a rushing touchdown during a football game between Mount Vernon and Solon at Mount Vernon Field on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021. The Spartans defeated the Mustangs 41-27. (Jerod Ringwald/The Daily Iowan)

“I wouldn’t do anything without my line and Blake,” Stahle said.

On the fourth play of the second half, trailing Mount Vernon 21-14, Stahle bolted through a hole for 64 yards. Three plays later, on a crucial third-and-11, Timmons eluded several defenders on his way to the end zone for a 20-yard TD, making it a 21-20 game.

The Mustangs answered.

Mount Vernon senior running back Trenton Pitlik truly had a night to remember. Pitlik had three first-half touchdowns, and following Timmons’ score, Pitlik reversed sides of the field on his way to a 70-yard TD run.

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Pitlik had 141 rushing yards, 97 receiving yards and accounted for all four of the Mustangs’ touchdowns.

Mount Vernon kick returner Trenton Pitlik receives a handoff on a kick from Tyler Panos during a football game between Mount Vernon and Solon at Mount Vernon Field on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021. (Jerod Ringwald/The Daily Iowan)

But the Spartans’ duo proved to be too much.

On Solon’s next possession, Timmons capped a six-play, 79-yard drive with a 5-yard TD. Stahle set up the score with a 54-yard run to put Timmons in scoring position.

Timmons then intercepted an Owen Brase pass and returned it to Mount Vernon’s 20. Two plays later, Stahle punched it in from a yard out and punched in the two-point conversion to give Solon its first lead of the game at 34-27 with 1:54 to go in the third.

“They stepped up and made plays when we needed them,” Solon Coach Lucas Stanton said. “I give Mount Vernon a lot of credit. They had a great gameplan.”

Stahle then added another 1-yard TD with 3:08 to go in the fourth, giving the Spartans some insurance at 41-27.

With the win, Solon extends its streak over Mount Vernon to 19 consecutive games.

“Our kids, they talk about the streak, they don’t want to be the team that breaks that streak,” Stanton said.

Solon will host Class 2A No. 10 Williamsburg next Friday. Mount Vernon (1-1) travels to Tipton.