Driving east on I-10 and getting closer to Exit 104; to head south to Vernon for some Friday night football; a slight mist was accumulating on my windshield. Combine that with temperatures dipping into the upper 40’s and winds gusting at 10-15 MPH; I had hoped that I had dressed warm enough…I had!
Earlier in the week, I contacted Rob Holley and asked him if there were any good places to eat in Vernon…without hesitation, he said you need to go to Dees Restaurant. The service was outstanding, and the food and the company was top-notch…great recommendation!
But what has impressed me the most about this quaint little town tucked away in the southern part of Washington County; is the hospitality that has been shown to me in my two visits…they have made me feel right at home!
My last visit to Vernon, saw the Jackets take out their county rivals, Chipley. This past Friday night, there was a lot more on the line…hosting a very hot Northview team in the Class 1A, Region 1 Semifinals. The Chiefs were led by a very strong rushing attack; consisting of Jayden Jackson, Trent Peebles and Jaheem Durant.
Vernon would counter with their own set of weapons; QB Dyvion Bush, RB K’wan Powell and WR Darrell Powell on offense and led by LBs Gabriel Cooke, Marcell Randolph and CB Tyler Watford on defense.
I ran into Bruce Robinson as I entered the stands and as we were catching up; Principal Brian Riviere stopped by to say hi and to welcome me back.
With the mist still coming down, the Yellowjackets would get on the board first, 8-0 at the 3:41 mark of the first quarter; courtesy of a 17-yard K’wan Powell run and a successful two-point conversion.
The Chiefs would answer back on the first play of the second quarter on a one-yard run from senior RB Trent Peebles; but the two point was unsuccessful…8-6 Vernon.
Jackets then went on a 3:02 drive, culminating with Powell’s second TD of the night; this one from one yard out; two-point conversion was no good…14-6 Vernon with 8:55 on the clock in the second quarter.
QB Dyvion Bush would connect with WR Shyron Green on a 70-yard pass with a little over one minute to play in the first half to stretch the lead to 20-6.
Halftime…
The first score of the third quarter would go to Vernon at 5:16; when Powell scored from 11 yards out. He would add the two-point conversion as well…Jackets 28-6.
Northview would get back on the board with 1:32 to go in the third on a 32-yard run by Peebles, cutting Vernon’s lead to 28-12 and that’s what the scoreboard would read at the end of the quarter.
Vernon QB Dyvion Bush would add his second TD pass of the night with 6:49 remaining and would also convert the two-point conversion to extend the lead to 24…Jackets up 36-12.
The Jackets would extend the lead to 43-12 on Powell’s fourth TD of the night with 2:59 to go in the fourth. Unofficially, K’wan would end the night with 179 yards on 16 carries.
The Chiefs would put up the last score of the game as Jaheem Durant would find the end zone on a 32-yard run up the middle…Final – Vernon 43, Northview 18.
Northview ends their season at 8-3, while Vernon improves to 8-3. The Jackets will travel to take on Baker (10-1) next Friday night in the Region 1 Finals.
After my two visits to Vernon; which has produced two decisive wins for the Yellowjackets…could you say, it’s the luck of the Irish?