By Mark Eddlemon
sports@joplinglobe.com
AURORA, Mo. — Aurora would not let visiting Mount Vernon out of the sloppy center of Kelly Field on Thursday as the Houn’ Dawgs advanced to the sectional round of the playoffs with an 8-0 victory over their arch rival.
“That’s the first time we’ve beaten Mount Vernon in nine years,” Aurora coach Rick Scholten said. “And the first time we’ve advanced in the playoffs in six.”
Aurora finished the regular season at 3-7 with two district wins. The Houn’ Dawgs will travel to Cassville on Wednesday for the sectional.
“Cassville is a quality program,” Scholten said. “We know we have our work cut out for us.”
The game with Mount Vernon was delayed by heavy rain and lightning, starting 45 minutes late. Most of the game was played in heavy rain.
The Aurora defense held Mount Vernon to just 82 yards in total offense in the game. The Houn’ Dawg defense also forced a turnover which led to the game’s only score.
Senior Garret Ormsy intercepted a second-period pass deep in Mountaineer territory, returning the ball to the 4-yard line. Senior running back Dustin Hedrick scored on the next play, with 4:18 remaining in a rainy first half. Jared Hickman ran the conversion.
Hedrick and Hickman also provided the Houn’ Dawgs offense with a clock-gobbling running duo. Hickman finished the contest with 124 yards rushing on 24 carries and Hedrick wound up with 98 yards on 19 carries.
“We kept watching this weather on the radar,” Scholten said. “That was our goal-line package we ran all night. We’re usually an option team, but we didn’t want to run the option and put the ball on the ground.”
Aurora lost a fumble and had an intercepted pass, but the Houn’ Dawg defense stepped up after each, forcing quick three-and-outs.
Mount Vernon penetrated to the Aurora 26 after an interception by Kyle Lacey in the first period, but was unable to record a first down until early in the second half. Aurora finished with 13 first downs to just 3 by the Mountaineers.
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