Mount Vernon VS Forest Park Game Recap 08-21-26

FINAL: Mount Vernon 15 - Forest Park 16

Mount Vernon piled up 370 yards of offense Friday night, but costly mistakes proved to be the difference as Forest Park escaped with a 16-15 victory over the Wildcats in Ferdinand.

Mount Vernon struck first in spectacular fashion. With 10:12 remaining in the opening quarter, quarterback Johnathon Crowe turned what began as a passing play into an 87-yard touchdown run. Wade York added the extra point to give the Wildcats a 7-0 lead.

Forest Park answered in the second quarter when Hudson King scored on a four-yard run. Parker Wolf's extra point tied the game at seven with 4:37 remaining before halftime.

Less than two minutes later, a bad snap on a Mount Vernon punt attempt resulted in a safety, giving Forest Park a 9-7 advantage with 3:18 remaining in the half.

The Rangers extended their lead with 8:35 remaining in the third quarter when Carter Jochem scored on a five-yard run. Wolf added the extra point to make it 16-7.

Mount Vernon responded late in the third. Eastin Hall scored on a one-yard run with 46 seconds remaining, then carried it in again for the two-point conversion to cut the Forest Park lead to 16-15.

That would prove to be the final score.

Hall turned in a huge performance for the Wildcats, carrying 25 times for 188 yards and a touchdown while also playing extensively on defense and special teams. Crowe completed 7 of 12 passes for 102 yards and added 87 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

Ryan Lilleston led Mount Vernon's receivers with four catches for 79 yards. Eastin Hall had one reception for 15 yards, Saint Henderson caught one for five yards and Cael Collins added a three-yard reception.

Mount Vernon finished with 370 yards of total offense on 49 plays, including 268 yards rushing. Forest Park also ran 49 plays but finished with 212 total yards — 118 rushing and 94 passing.

For the Rangers, Hudson King carried eight times for 55 yards and a touchdown, while Carter Jochem had 17 carries for 48 yards and a score. Anden Uebelhor added 41 yards on four carries.

Through the air, Camron Lueken had one reception for 26 yards, Steven Reinke caught two passes for 43 yards, Hudson King had four catches for 45 yards and Hudson Lueken caught two passes for 20 yards.

Despite outgaining Forest Park by 158 yards, Mount Vernon couldn't overcome the safety and other costly mistakes as the Wildcats fell by a single point in their season opener.

Mount Vernon returns home next Friday night to face Boonville in the Wildcats' home opener. Boonville opened its season with a 45-0 victory. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., with pregame coverage beginning at 6:45 on 106.7 WMVI and Mount Vernon Radio dot com.

Listen to the game archive below: