In a game of missed opportunities vs. converted chances, the Mount Vernon Yellow Jackets lost at home to the New Philadelphia Quakers, 44-6, Friday night.
Despite the lopsided score line, Mount Vernon had its chances in a closely fought first half but could not convert them, while the Quakers took advantage of their openings. Fourth-down conversions and ill-timed Yellow Jackets’ penalties allowed New Philadelphia to get off to a big lead, and the Quakers would never look back.
On New Philadelphia’s first drive of the game, Mount Vernon was able to force third-and-long and fourth-down situations. However, the Quakers converted on a fourth-and-1 run to move into Mount Vernon territory. Later, after a Mount Vernon sack forced the Quakers to face third-and-16, New Philadelphia went deep and converted on a 43-yard TD pass to receiver Willy Wallace.
Mount Vernon responded with a long drive, as a big run by Karter Harris and a completed pass from quarterback Layne Kuhlman to Jonny Askew on third down helped continue to move the chains. They finished the drive on an unlikely high, as a near Quaker interception turned into a touchdown pass thanks to a spectacular diving catch by Joel Hubbard. A missed extra point allowed New Philadelphia to preserve a one-point advantage at 7-6.
The Quakers quickly reclaimed momentum with a 60-yard run on the first play of the next drive, and they punched it into the end zone on the next play, opening up a 14-6 advantage. On its next drive, Mount Vernon elected to go for it on fourth down and three inside its own territory. A completed screen pass to Askew fell short of the marker, giving New Philadelphia great field position near the end of the first quarter.
Again, New Philadelphia converted on a long third down, followed by a conversion on a fourth down and another at the Mount Vernon 21-yard line. From there, the Mount Vernon defense stood tall and held New Philadelphia to a field goal, taking the score to 17-6 early in the second quarter.
Mount Vernon benefited from good field position on its next drive, as New Philadelphia’s squib kick rolled out of bounds. However, a dropped pass on third down forced a punt. The Jackets' defense responded and forced a fumble on the next Quakers’ drive and recovered the loose ball to take over the New Philadelphia 30-yard line.
Mount Vernon was not able to convert on that opportunity to get back into the game, as a chop block penalty backed it up 15 yards. At the New Philadelphia 36, Mount Vernon went for it on fourth down and 16, but a deep pass from Kuhlman fell just out of the reach of Askew. The rest of the second quarter was scoreless until the final seconds of the half, when New Philadelphia returned a Mount Vernon punt 60 yards for a touchdown, giving the Quakers a 23-6 lead. From there, they controlled the game, and Mount Vernon never had a chance to get back in it.
“I thought the team came out really well and put together a great drive coming out of the gate," Mount Vernon coach Jay Campbell said. "We ended up giving up a couple of big plays that were costly, but I’m proud of the fight the kids showed all game.”
For the game, New Philadelphia outgained Mount Vernon 341-167 and converted two of seven third-down opportunities, while the Jackets were 2-for-12. The Quakers picked up 290 yards rushing to 71 yards on the ground for the Jackets, who picked up 96 yards passing – Kuhlman was 15-for-27 for 96 yards – to 51 yards in the air for NP.
The loss dropped Mount Vernon to 1-5 overall an 0-2 in OCC play. New Philadelphia improved to 3-3 and begins East Central Ohio Conference play next week.
The Yellow Jackets will look to get back on track Friday with an OCC home game against Wooster (3-3) at 7 p.m.
