DEWAYNE HOLLOWAY|dewayne@mcnews.online
MINERAL SPRINGS – The Mount Ida Lions recorded their first shutout of the season with a 42-0 road victory over the Mineral Springs Hornets.
Baylor Bates had a breakout game with 11 carries for 171 yards and four of the six Mount Ida touchdowns. Three of his four touchdowns came on runs of 24 yards or better.
Karter Rowton scored a touchdown as did Connor Sigman. Sigman had five carries for 75 yards.
Caleb White had seven carries for 27 yards, Gavin Summitt had two carries for 26 yards, Peyton Dorrell had two carries for six yards, Quinton Lowry had three carries for nine yards. Ian McDowell and Kaden Haney each had a carry.
The Lions defense had four sacks on the night and recovered three fumbles. Ashton Humphries recovered two fumbles, one he returned to the Hornet five yard line before being tackled. AJ Perez had a fumble recovery and an interception.
The Hornets were held to negative 72 yards on the ground on 15 carries. They did have some success in the air, completing 15 of 25 passes for 139 yards. Paul Mitchell had seven catches for 72 yards to lead the Hornet receivers.
The Hornets opened the game with the ball on their own 40 yard line and started their first drive with a nine yard reception from Katrevion Thomas to Paul Mitchell. However, the Lions would push them back to the 32 yard line forcing them to throw the ball once again on a fourth and 18. The pass was tipped into the air and AJ Perez jumped under it for the interception.
Mount Ida’s offense went to work on their own 49 yard line with 10:26 left in the first quarter. Caleb White moved the ball to the Hornet 35 on three consecutive plays. Baylor Bates took over and four plays later Bates scored on a five yard run. The PAT bounced off the goalpost and the Lions held a 6-0 lead.
Mineral Springs was able to get a first down on their second play of their ensuing drive, but a fumble after a reception ended the drive. Ashton Humphries scooped up the ball for the Lions and was five yards shy of a Pick-6 when he was finally tackled.
Karter Rowton took the snap and marched into the endzone for the second Lion score of the night. Bates got the call on the two point conversion and the Lions’ lead was 14-0 with 6:38 left in the first quarter.
Mineral Springs went four and out in their next two series while forcing a Mount Ida fumble in the Lion drive sandwiched between the drives.
Mount Ida wasn’t through scoring in the first quarter. They got the ball back on the Hornet 24 yard line with two minutes to go in the quarter. Bates got the call and raced the distance for a touchdown. The two point conversion fell short and the Lions led 20-0
The Hornets fought their way to the Lion 46 yard line before back to back penalties pushed them back to their own 39 yard line. The drive would end when AJ Perez recovered a Hornet fumble for the Lions on the Mineral Springs 43 yard line.
Two plays later the Lions would return the favor on a questionable lateral pass that ended up on the ground.
A pass interference call against Mount Ida would move the Hornets to the Lion 29 yard line and a they would end up on the 27 before turning the ball over on downs.
Mount Ida would be forced to punt on their next drive and the Hornets started on their own 27. They launched their best drive of the night thus far, moving the ball 47 yards to the Lions 34 yard line before turning the ball over on a fumble recovered by Humphries.
The Lions began the ensuing drive at midfield, but didn’t stay there long. Baylor Bates took the ball and ran 50 yards for the score. Karter Rowton found Peyton Dorrell in the end zone to convert the two point conversion. The Lions led 28-0 with 4:01 left in the half.
Mount Ida attempted an onside kick and Silas Love was able to secure the ball for the Lions on the Hornet 48 yard line. Bates got the call again, this time for a 39 yard jaunt for a score. Caleb White carried the ball in for the two point conversion and the Lions led the game 36-0.
Peyton Dorrell would recover a Hornet fumble for the Lions, but the half would end with Mount Ida Leading 36-0.
The Hornets looked as if they might score in the opening series of the second half. They moved the ball from midfield to the Lion one yard line, but would be held out by the stingy Lion defense.
Mount Ida started their first drive on their own 15 yard line. On second and nine Connor Sigman fought off multiple tackles as he slipped through the line. Free of Hornets he flew to the Mineral Springs 17 yard line before being brought down. Six plays later he would carry the ball in for the final score of the night.
Mount Ida moves to 3-1 on the season as they return home to face Des Arc this Friday. Kick off will be at 7 p.m.
All statistics are unofficial totals compiled by the author of the article.
