The Mount Pleasant Tiger freshman football team hosted Mt Vernon on Thursday night in their last non-district matchup before district play starts next week. The Tigers took control from the get-go, scoring in their opening drive and never looking back for the decisive victory.

Jameel Lewis got the engine revved up opening the game with a monstrous 59-yard scamper up the middle of the Mt Vernon defense for the Tigers first of five touchdowns. Enrique Bedolla would add a two-point conversion dive to make the score 8-0. After the Tiger defense would make a hold, Bedolla would tack on another touchdown on an 8-yard run. Isaac Villaruel would put the extra point through the uprights to make the score 15-0. For good measure, Lewis would make another nice run to the outside for a 20-yard touchdown with Villaruel adding the extra point. Towards the end of the half, Braylen Smith returned a punt 42 yards for the score to make the score 28-0 heading into the locker room. The second half was cruise control for Mount Pleasant as Hector Salazar would add another score on a 7-yard touchdown run. Villaruel would end up with four extra-point kicks.

The defense was for Mount Pleasant was stout all night. Christian Johnson, Hector Salazar, and Efren Mancias all recorded sacks. Ty Canton picked off the Mount Vernon quarterback for an interception and John Lopez, Jose Padilla, and Dexter King all notched tackles for loss.

The freshmen will begin district play next week versus Texas High in Texarkana. Kickoff is set for Thursday at 5:30 PM.

By Drew Barkley
Photos by Edgar Gonzalez, Sidney Molina, and Cinthia Flores.