CINCINNATI, Ohio – For the first time in nearly a month the 24
th ranked MSJ Lions played a tightly contested football game on Saturday on the road at Hanover. The Lions and Panthers each entered the game 3-0 in HCAC play and Hanover put up a big fight in this one. The Lions trailed early, and again in the fourth quarter but scored 21 unanswered points to pull away and secure the 44-29 win.
The did so behind a valiant effort from quarterback
Josh Taylor, who was outstanding with both his arm and his feet. Passing he was 20-of-31 for 199 yards and a touchdown. He did even more damage on the ground carrying the ball 23 times for 151 yards and a season-high 3 touchdowns. In the passing game Taylor hit six different receivers,
Joey Newton caught 5 balls for 72 yards,
Cornell Beachem Jr. pulled in 6 for 40 yards and a 21-yard touchdown, and
Jake Ayler added 5 catches.
Defensively the Lions did a commendable job against the HCAC's second most explosive offense. The held Hanover to their second lowest offensive output of the season.
Anthony Wright led the way with 12 tackles (10 solo) and a tackle-for-loss.
Noah Hammond continued his run of outstanding play he had 6 tackles (3 solo) and a sack and a half. That sack and a half give Hammond 10.5 for the season, which ties him with Alex Harbin for most sack in a season in MSJ football history.
Austin Price and
DeShawn Starks each had an interception in the game.
The Lions got behind 7-0, but answered with 10 unanswered points.
Kyle Farfsing hit from 19 yards to get the Lions on the board, and then Taylor carried the ball in from 13 yards out. Hanover answered to take the lead back at 14-10, that's when Taylor and Beachem hooked up for their 21-yard touchdown putting the Lions back in control. After forcing a late first half interception, Farfsing again hit from 36 yards out to put the Lions ahead 20-10 at halftime.
They would also score the first points of the second half, again it was Farfsing this time hitting a 21-yard field goal. Hanover would answer with 15 unanswered points going ahead 29-23. After that touchdown the Mount answered immediately going 75 yards in just 2:50 to go back ahead 30-29, Taylor capped off the drive with a 5-yard run. They would not trail again scoring 21 unanswered points to secure the 44-29 win.
"I think Hanover came in with a great game plan and really played well" Said coach Tyler Hopperton. "I think it was really good for our guys to play in a tight back-and-forth game. It should help prepare us for the next three weeks. I think we saw some really good things from all three phases of the game today. And in the end we are 1-0 this week and 7-0 on the season, so I'll take and we will start getting ready for Bluffton."
UP NEXT:
The Lions will return home to Schueler Field next Saturday, welcoming the Beavers of Bluffton (1-6, 1-3 HCAC) to Cincinnati. With kickoff scheduled for 1:30 PM, make sure to get there early as the Mount will be celebrating HOMECOMING festivities!
