If the past two years are any indication, Wesleyan – or at least Banks Ramsey - has Mount Vernon figured out.
After a 34-0 win a season ago, the Wolves visited Mount Vernon and blew out the Mustangs 34-14 on Friday afternoon. It ended the Mustangs’ bid for a perfect season and vaulted Wesleyan ahead in the Region 5-A standings.
Ramsey, the Wolves’ quarterback, might be the best in the region. He continued his senior campaign with a four-touchdown day. He also secured a red-zone interception as a defensive back.
“He makes us go. He’s everything,” Wesleyan coach Franklin Pridgen said. “He’s a four-year starter and he played great tonight. But not flawlessly. … We’ve definitely got a lot to work on.”
The Wolves built a 13-point halftime lead. Mount Vernon hung around, but two early second-half touchdowns closed the door.
The first half was a grind. After playing to a first quarter draw, the second was one neither team will take much pride in. The period ended with four consecutive turnovers.
With Wesleyan up 20-7, Mount Vernon quarterback Reggie Burnette made a desperate throw that Wolves defensive back JD Kavel intercepted.
Wolves quarterback Banks Ramsey returned the favor on the next play, throwing into traffic that deflected the ball into Colson Logue’s hands. The Mount Vernon offense built some momentum but Burnette was picked off by Corey Berry on an overthrow downfield.
Wesleyan fumbled it away in MVPS territory with 21 seconds before intermission to mercifully end the first half.
“Just really sloppy football by us,” Pridgen said. “I’m not going to comment on them. But really sloppy football. Horribly beneath our standard.”
The wheels came off for MVPHS from there as the Wolves broke it open with two touchdowns to start the second half.
The Wolves opened the scoring at the 4:15 mark of quarter one. Garrett Hangartner punched it in from one-yard out for the lead. Burnette hit Justin Douglas for a 68-yard touchdown on the ensuing possession to knot it up.
Down 34-7, the Mustangs had some fight left. Austin Douglas took a sweep 80 yards to the end zone. Parker Corley produced a sack-fumble on Ramsey that gave MVPHS possession at the 37-yard line. Ramsey picked Burnette’s red zone throw to end the minor threat.
“That’s an up-and-coming program,” Pridgen said. “That’s what an up-and coming program looks like. Coach (Wayne) Dabbs does an incredible job. … I’m just really proud of what they’ve accomplished and I’m proud of our guys for beating a quality opponent.”
Logue had a solid day defensively for the Mustangs with an interception and forced fumble. But the Wesleyan defense as a whole had a big afternoon, picking Burnette three times.
After playing eight-straight games, Wesleyan is off next weekend. Mount Vernon travels to Our Lady of Mercy.
Wesleyan – 7-13-14-0 -- 34
Mount Vernon – 7-0-7-0 -- 14
First quarter
W – Garrett Hangartner 1-yard run (Mateo Rengifo kick)
MV – Reggie Burnett 68-yard pass to Justin Douglas (Ian Cole kick)
Second quarter
W – Banks Ramsey 1-yard run (Rengifo kick)
W – Ramsey 15-yard pass to Billy Stepp (kick blocked)
Third quarter
W – Ramsey pass (Rengifo kick)
W – Ramsey 1-yard run (Rengifo kick)
MV – Austin Douglas 80-yard run (Cole kick)
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