by Vermilion – The Vermilion Sailors scored 21 unanswered points to defeat the North Union Wildcats, 35-21, in front of their home crowd Friday night.
The North Union Wildcats and their great supporters made the roughly two-hour trip for this contest, and the Wildcats showed up early. North Union jumped out to a 14-0 lead, beginning with a 28-yard touchdown pass from Nickolas Hajjar to Wyatt Arver. Hajjar then found the end zone himself on a 5-yard touchdown run.
The Sailors were down but not out. They turned exclusively to their running game on their next possession, running the ball 12 times. Nine of those carries went to star running back Landon Mooney, including a 13-yard touchdown run to put the Sailors on the board and cut North Union’s lead to 14-7, which remained the score at halftime.
Vermilion received the ball to begin the second half, and the Sailors put together another run-exclusive drive, this time running the ball 11 times. Their other star running back, Isaac Kyser, received six of those carries, including a 1-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 14 apiece.
The Wildcats got the ball back and moved down the field on their next possession, primarily through their running game. North Union reclaimed the lead when Arver found the end zone on a 14-yard touchdown run.
Two drives later, Vermilion began its 21-0 run, turning the game upside down. Sailors quarterback Drake Hooks completed his lone pass of the game, a 12-yard completion to Dawson Coates, which helped get the drive going. Kyser eventually found the end zone from 8 yards out to tie the game at 21.
Following a quick three-and-out by the Wildcats, Mooney, who is known for his speed, showed exactly why. On the first play of the possession, he broke free for a 44-yard touchdown run to give the Sailors their first lead of the game, 28-21, sending the Vermilion faithful into a frenzy.
The Sailors faithful, still on their feet, were given another reason to celebrate. On North Union’s next possession, Hajjar was intercepted by Vermilion’s Chase Jackson, his second interception of the night. Jackson raced 58 yards for a pick-six, extending the Sailors’ lead to 35-21.
Jackson wasn’t finished. He intercepted Hajjar once more, his third interception of the night, to seal the victory for the Sailors.
With the win, Vermilion advances to the second round of the Division V, Region 18 playoffs. The Sailors will head to LaGrange next Friday to take on the Keystone Wildcats.
Player of the Game – Landon Mooney, Vermilion
The star running back carried the ball 26 times for 177 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead score. Mooney showed why he is considered one of the best running backs in the area. His team will need another stellar performance from him next week if the Sailors hope to keep their playoff run alive.
