Mount Vernon takes the sequel, 33-20

ANAMOSA - It's a relatively young team, making giant strides by the week.

'It's fun to watch us grow,” said sophomore quarterback Drew Adams. 'We're coming together. It's a great ride.”

The ride will continue to the UNI-Dome.

Adams passed for 302 yards and three touchdowns as seventh-ranked Mount Vernon avenged a regular-season defeat, ending a memorable season for No. 4 Anamosa, 33-20, in a Class 2A football quarterfinal Friday night at Buddy Downing Field.

'Our theme all year has been, ‘Finish,'” said Mustangs Coach Lance Pedersen. 'That's something we've been able to do. Now we'll get an opportunity to go up and play in the Dome.”

The Mustangs (10-2) will face No. 1 Albia (12-0) in the semifinal round at 7:06 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14. Albia downed No. 3 South Tama, 17-6, Friday.

'I'm so happy we're able to get our seniors there,” Adams said.

A team that ended a 26-game losing streak as recently as early last season, Anamosa ended its deepest playoff run in school history at 11-1.

The Raiders rallied to defeat the Mustangs, 45-42, in a regular-season game that ultimately decided the district championship. This time, Mount Vernon got in front at the start through the air, then was able to grind out both yards and clock with its running attack.

'We weren't supposed to be able to run against those guys, but our offensive line stepped up,” Pedersen said. 'And Drew made some great decisions at the line of scrimmage.”

The yardage battle was relatively close (Mount Vernon owned a 434-397 advantage), but Anamosa turned it over three times while the Mustangs played a clean game - no turnovers and a single penalty for 5 yards.

Adams connected with Tommy Hook on a pair of long touchdown passes in the first half, a 49-yarder on the first possession of the game, then a 76-yarder that gave the Mustangs a 19-7 advantage.

Adams' 4-yard connection with Joe Corcoran made it 26-7 just before the half.

Hook caught five passes for 164 yards.

'They were keying on Connor (Herrmann) all night, and Tommy came up and made some big plays,” Adams said.

Anamosa's Trevor Wehling exploded for 372 yards in the regular-season meeting. This time, the Mustangs kept him under wraps and out of the end zone. Wehling managed 66 yards on 13 carries.

Kolin Schulte passed for 201 yards and a touchdown, and also ran for a score. His 80-yard TD pass to Daniel Husmann tied the game at 7-7, but the Mustangs scored three times in the second quarter for a comfortable margin, then were able to complete their theme.

Finish.

Anamosa scored on its first drive of the second half - Jay McLean hit paydirt on a 10-yard run - to make it 26-14 and open the door of hope a bit, but the Mustangs slammed it shut immediately, driving 65 yards in 15 plays and nearly 5 minutes. Sam Moore's 1-yard plunge on fourth-and-goal reclaimed order for Mount Vernon at 33-14.

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