Winnsboro romped over Mount Vernon 59-23 in the Highway 37 rivalry game Oct. 23 at Red Raider Stadium. The Raiders scored six second-quarter touchdowns in a rout that made it five victories in a row over the Tigers.
The Raiders will face Mineola on Friday at Meredith Memorial Stadium and wrap up the district schedule at home against Rains on Nov. 6.
It was a packed house. This group of seniors have never lost to Mt Vernon so this game was a big deal to them to finish the job. The boys came out hot, firing on all cylinders,” head coach and boys athletic director Josh Finney said.
Quarterback Ky Caddell got things started with a 9-yard run on the Raiders’ second possession. Caddell was exceptional, completing 14 of 18 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 109 yards and a score.
Mount Vernon took its only lead of the contest after a 20-yard touchdown pass and conversion with 2:45 remaining in the first quarter.
Second-quarter scores included touchdown runs of 28, 4 and 8 yards by Neree Castleberry, along with touchdown passes from Caddell to Kash Noble of 52 and 73 yards. The Tigers slipped in another touchdown and conversion to bring the halftime score to 42-16.
Castleberry rushed for 147 yards on 19 carries, and Noble caught seven passes for 162 yards.
Winnsboro kept its foot on the gas with a successful onside kick to open the second half. Rudy Calderon completed the ensuing drive with a 22-yard field goal. Calderon added 11 points to the winning effort with eight extra points and the field goal.
Catch Pope pushed the Raiders ahead 52-16 on a 3-yard run in the third quarter. Mount Vernon scored its final points on a 39-yard pass with 7:54 remaining. Trenten Hill added the exclamation point with a 1-yard run with 1:55 to go.
Finney offered high praise for both his offensive and defensive lines.
“The offensive line – Lincon Larey, Kyler Schmidt, Bryndon Adams, Evan Hammond, Kolin Birdsong with tight ends Brady Boles, Brody Beasley, and Gavin Brenton paved the way for a long night. These guys made it easy for the skill guys to have the night they did,” Finney said.
“Defensively our linebackers – Julian Moss, Kainan Moss, Chance Arrington, Marshal Bassett, and Castleberry -- played really well. The defensive line – Chaz Amerson, Karson McNeil, Isaac Valentine, Rhett Page, and Eli Groter -- played solid all night,” Finney said.
The District 7-3A-I playoff picture is shaping up with Malakoff (5-0 in district) at the top, followed by Winnsboro (3-1), Commerce (3-2) and Mount Vernon (2-2). Mineola (1-3) and Rains (1-3) would need help to get in. Eustace (0-4) will finish its season Nov. 6. The bi-district round begins the following weekend.