Mt. Vernon Register-News

Sports

October 20, 2012

Rams end season winless

By PAUL HINES paul.hines@register-news.com

MT. CARMEL — The Golden Aces used the strong arm of quarterback Reece Metcalf to beat Mt. Vernon 42-7 Friday night.

Metcalf hurt the Rams defense throughout the game and threw for more than 300 yards and three touchdowns.

The game was the last of the season for the Rams who finished winless.

After talking with his team, Mt. Vernon coach Jared Shaner spoke with his seniors.

“It’s a good group of kids,” Shaner said. “I sure wish we could have got them a couple wins along the way. We were close in a few games, and it didn’t work out. We talked a little bit about football and more about life in general.

“Maybe we’re getting taught a lesson about perseverance right now.”

Mt. Vernon’s most success this season has come on the ground, but the Golden Aces’ defense didn’t give the Rams many chances to break off big gains. “They’re a good defensive team on the ground,” Shaner said. “They’ve given up some points this year, and it’s been through the air more than anything. Unfortunately that’s not our strong point.”

Doug Gardner led the Rams with 64 yards on seven carries. Most of his yards came on Mt. Vernon’s only scoring drive of the game. It happened with the Rams trailing 28-0 midway through the third quarter.

Mt. Vernon started from its own 10 and moved the ball to the 26-yard line after a pair of completion from quarterback Clayton Reeves.

After an incompletion, Gardner ripped past the Golden Aces defense and into Mt. Carmel territory. He ended the run with a stiff-arm that flattened a defensive back. The gain covered 48 yards. Reeves finished the drive with a five-yard scoring pass to Demontez Miller-Grey. The score cut the deficit to 28-7.

“I was happy on that drive that we could punch it in there,” Shaner said.

With Mt. Carmel shutting down any run opportunities, the Rams were forced to try to attack through the air. Reeves finished the game with 93 passing yards. He was 10 of 20 with three interceptions.

“The defense played very well here today,” Mt. Carmel coach Darren Peach said.

Metcalf spread his completions around to four different receivers. Levi Laws finished with 115 yards on five catches. His first score helped Mt. Carmel build a 20-0 halftime lead. His second touchdown came a half minuteinto the second half. It was the first of three touchdowns for Mt. Carmel in the second half.

Mt. Vernon ended 0-9 this season, and Mt. Carmel improved to 6-3 overall.

The winless season was the first since 1926 for the Mt. Vernon football program, according to ihsa.org.

Text Only
Sports
  • 5-24 webber baseball Season ends for Webber GOREVILLE – Webber and Shawnee battled and scraped their way through a low-scoring baseball sectional semifinal Thursday. “I told our team we’d have two to three chances,” Webber coach Sam Root said. “We had the bases loaded nobody out chance. We onl

    May 24, 2013 1 Photo

  • Liriano dominates as Pirates edge Cubs 1-0 PITTSBURGH (AP) — Francisco Liriano continued his torrid start, scattering two hits over seven innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the Chicago Cubs 1-0 on Wednesday night. Liriano (3-0) struck out nine and walked just one to remain unbeaten sinc

    May 23, 2013

  • 5-23 MTV baseball photo Rams rock Herrin in five HERRIN – Mt. Vernon wasted little time putting its opening round regional opponent away Wednesday. The Rams lashed Herrin 12-1 in five innings to advance to Saturday's title game. “We pitched well, and we really swung the bats well today,” Mt. Verno

    May 23, 2013 1 Photo

  • Sports briefs Neibert starts state today Mt. Vernon boys tennis player Aaron Neibert begins state final action today. Neibert opens tournament play against Lake Forest's Brice Polender. The match will be played in Mt. Prospect near Chicago. The top 32 players in s

    May 23, 2013

  • Sports briefs Jarrett, Petty enter NASCAR hall CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR honored members of its royal families with inductions into the Hall of Fame on Wednesday. Past champion Dale Jarrett joined father Ned in the hall and master mechanic Maurice "Chief" Pett

    May 23, 2013

  • 5-22 MTV softball photo Rain washes away season early HERRIN - Weather ended up being the ultimate opponent in Mt. Vernon's opening round softball game. The Lady Rams trailed Carbondale 6-5 in the bottom of the fifth inning. Lightning delayed the game at about 5:27 p.m. About 90 minutes later the game w

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • Palmer ends career with record CHARLESTON – Mt. Vernon's Aaliyah Palmer ended her girls track career as a record holder. Palmer hurled the shot put 39 feet, 11 inches at the 2A state finals this weekend. Previously, Palmer had tied the school record with a throw of 39 feet, six in

    May 21, 2013

  • 5-21 Webber-Woodlawn baseball photo Trojans take first regional title BLUFORD – It's been a season of milestones for Webber's baseball team. The Trojans can add a regional title to a list that includes the school record for wins and Ty Henderson's 500th career strikeouts. Webber knocked off Woodlawn 4-1 to win the 1A

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • 5-21 Chelsea Miller photo 2 Crowning achievement WALTONVILLE – Chelsea Miller ended her glittering girls track career in storybook fashion. The Waltonville senior who competes for the Sesser-Valier/Waltonville track team finished her career with 10 state medals and one state title. For the hyper-c

    May 21, 2013 2 Photos

  • School board puts budget on public display MT VERNON – The Mt. Vernon Township Board of Education Monday voted to place the district's tentative amended budget for 2013 on public display for 30 days. Superintendent Mike Smith explained that changes may still be made to the document, which at

    May 21, 2013