AURORA, Mo. —
Kurt Hadlow ran for a touchdown, caught a pass for another and thwarted a Mount Vernon scoring threat with a crucial interception to help Aurora earn a postseason berth with a 24-8 victory Thursday night against Mount Vernon.
Hadlow rushed for 96 yards on 11 carries, overshadowing 1,000-yard rusher Everett Basham as the Houn' Dawgs displayed a balanced attack.
Hadlow also caught four passes for 77 yards as Aurora opened up its attack in the third quarter to turn a two-point deficit into a 16-point win.
"We feel like we've needed to become more balanced," Aurora coach Rick Scholten said. "We've got a great running back in Everett Basham, and people have been keying on him. Whenever we try to spread it out and do different things, he still got his yards, but other kids were able to contribute. We feel like that's made us a better football team.”
Basham got the game's first touchdown, capping a seven-play, 64-yard drive, walking in untouched from five yards out.
Mount Vernon responded with an eight-play, 52-yard march, led by running back Shane Williams. Williams scored from one yard out on the first play of the second quarter, and Kyler Schoff ran the 2-point conversion to give Mount Vernon (2-8, 1-2 Class 3, District 10) its only lead of the night.
Special teams got the lead back for Aurora, when Lucas Guthrie blocked Alex Hausman's punt at the 10-yard line, and Manuel Rios scooped it up at the 7-yard line and returned it for a 12-8 advantage the Houn' Dawgs (6-4, 2-1) never relinquished.
Aurora opened up its offense in the third quarter, responding to a lackluster three-and-out.
Quarterback Clayton Sumners hit Andrew Parker for consecutive passes of 35 and 9 yards, then connected with Hadlow on a 36-yard strike before Hadlow ran the ball in from five yards out.
"After the three-and-out, I went over to our quarterback and told him we were going to open it up a little bit, so you've got to make some plays,” Scholten said. “And he did. He took us right down the field."
Hadlow set up the game's final scoring drive when he picked off Hausman at the 2-yard line and returned the ball to the 30. Aurora mixed the run and pass well in a 13-play drive that was capped by a 16-yard dart to a heavily covered Hadlow.
"I was running a post and tried to find an open spot," Hadlow said. "It was a pretty good pass. He got it right in there."
Mount Vernon coach Joy Maberry was pleased with his team's effort in the rivalry game.
Our kids played hard to the end," Maberry said. "I don't think the game was as far out of reach as the score indicated."
Aurora will play the District 9 champion on Wednesday night on the road in the first round of the state playoffs.
Sports
October 28, 2011
Aurora tops Mount Vernon, extends season
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Miners, Carl Junction split American Legion doubleheader
Joplin's Nate Brummer dives back into first base before Carl Junction's Jaron Hulette can apply the tag during their American Legion baseball game at Joe Becker Stadium.
Bryce Ash’s two-run single capped a four-run fourth inning in Joplin’s 8-6 victory against Carl Junction in the second game of an American Legion doubleheader Thursday night at Joe Becker Stadium.
Continued ... - 11th annual Grin Iron Classic set in Springfield
- Outlaws pitching fans 18 in season-opening win over Rossville
- Desiree Felker signs to play volleyball at OCC
- Phil McClintock hired as boys basketball coach at Salem
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- Pittsburg State Sports
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- Vengels sixth in heptathlon; PSU picks up two seventh-place finishes
- Ethan Cordray signs with Pittsburg State
- Lions, Gorillas begin competition in outdoor track and field championship
- Three finalists named for PSU head baseball coach position
- Lions qualify 10, PSU 15 for Division II outdoor track meet
- Missouri Southern Sports
- High School Sports
