Defense dominates as Triad holds off Mount Vernon in a low-scoring affair

Triad beat Mount Vernon 14-12 in a defense dominated game Friday night to improve to 3-0 on the season.

The two teams combined for 10 turnovers in the game. Mount Vernon forced a half dozen turnovers. Triad fumbled five times, and quarterback Tommy Bauer threw an interception as well. The Rams fumbled four times.

“We were very fortunate to come out with a win there,” Triad coach Paul Bassler said. “Our defense played tremendous.”

Reed Millwood had a pair of fumble recoveries and an interception for Mount Vernon. One of the fumbles he ran back for a touchdown. The score helped MountVernon close the deficit to 14-12 with 11:17 left in the game.

Both defenses controlled a scoreless opening half. Mount Vernon limited Triad’s top rusher Adam Nelson to just 18 yards on four carries in the half.

Nelson eventually broke through in the third quarter. With Triad up 7-6, he ripped off a 51-yard touchdown run. The score made the Knights lead 14-6. Nelson finished with 119 yards on 14 carries.

Triad’s Ethan Salopek had 50 yards on seven carries. Kraudel added 49 yards on seven attempts.

Triad scored the first touchdown of the game midway through the third quarter. The Knights punted the ball into Mount Vernon territory. Gage Burroughs tried to catch the ball on the run but fumbled. Triad jumped on the loose ball and recovered it.

Triad took over possession on the Mount Vernon 43-yard line. Four plays later Steven Evanoff raced into the end zone from 18 yards away for a score, giving the Knights a 7-0 edge.

This story was originally published September 11, 2015 at 10:45 PM with the headline "Defense dominates as Triad holds off Mount Vernon in a low-scoring affair."