By FRED KRONER
Mahomet-Seymour won the statistical battle everywhere but on the scoreboard in a Friday (March 26) Apollo Conference football game at Mount Zion.
The host Braves defeated M-S 44-34.
However, M-S held an edge in total offense (491 to 393), first downs (27 to 12) and in time of possession (29 minutes, 10 seconds to 18 minutes, 50 seconds).
“We dominated the stats, we dominated the physicalness, we dominated the cheering section. We dominated everything but the scoreboard,” M-S head coach Jon Adkins said.
The Bulldogs had the game’s top two rushers as both Skyler Yancy and quarterback Braden Finch gained 189 yards on the ground.
M-S also had the top receiver as Dream Morgan-Eagle hauled in 10 of Finch’s 11 completions for gains of 92 yards.
“Dream (a transfer from St. Joseph-Ogden) has learned the playbook very well,” Adkins said. “We got him the ball in key spots and he made some plays.”
Finch scored four touchdowns and Yancy reached the end zone once. They combined to run the ball from scrimmage 51 times.
Rolling up nearly 500 yards of total offense was a credit to the performance of a rebuilt offensive line. Four of the five starters from the last time the team took the field (the fall of 2019) were seniors.
Among the current starters, only left tackle Tyler Uken is a veteran on the line. He is joined by left guard Mikane Didier, center Brayden Smith, right guard Mitchell Gallier and right tackle Karson McKee.
All five of the linemen are underclassmen.
“After losing all of those seniors, everybody questioned that group of kids,” Adkins said. “They have risen to the challenge.”
M-S was forced to play catchup from the outset as Mount Zion returned the opening kickoff 89 yards for a TD.
“Before giving our defense a chance, we were down on the scoreboard,” Adkins said. “That (return) was on a mistake we will get corrected.”
An interception by Mount Zion led to a short-field score that boosted the home team into a 14-0 lead.
“At that point, people thought it might be a one-sided game,” Adkins said. “I can’t give our kids enough credit for how resilient they are.
“There’s not just one reason why we didn’t come out on the plus side. All of the mistakes are fixable.”
The Braves led, 20-6, after one quarter and 34-20 at halftime.
Defensively, M-S leaders were Ashton Heiser (six tackles), Mitchell Gallier (four tackles), Ethan Grindley (three tackles), George Moore (three tackles) and Uken (three tackles).
The defensive platoon – just like the offensive unit – had just two seniors playing regularly in Week 2.
“Freshman Jack Gallier (defensive end) had an outstanding game (at Mount Zion) and is playing well,” Adkins said. “Linebackers Luke Johnson (a freshman) and Nick Golden (a sophomore) are reading their keys very well and doing the job.
“In the secondary, Ashton Heiser (junior) had a great game and Dayten Eisenmann (sophomore) is doing well. Being so young and inexperienced, the kids have hung toe-to-toe with two state-ranked teams and that leaves us salivating about the next four games and next year.”
Mount Zion gained 272 of its yards through the air.
The Bulldogs (0-2) return to action at 2 p.m. on Saturday (April 3) at Lincoln (0-2). Both of the Bulldogs’ first two losses were to state-ranked foes.
“I told the kids we probably have one of the toughest two-game schedules in the state, and I personally believe we are the best 0-2 team in the state,” Adkins said. “What an incredible game to be a part of.
“I’m so proud of our kids for battling through all the adversity and sticking together as a family to adapt and overcome it all to be in a position to compete at the end. By far one of the most fun games I’ve ever been a part of. Our kids and our fans were electric.”
There will be little chance that M-S won’t be well-prepared for the Railsplitters.
“As well as we played in the first two games, they beat us last year and I don’t want the kids to forget that,” Adkins said. “My challenge is for them to have their best performance yet.”
