Strong second half powers Guard to win over Mt. Vernon

FootballMediaDay(TA)-1

MOUNT VERNON — Brook Hill moved to 2-0 with a 27-14 road win Saturday at Mount Vernon.

The Guard trailed 14-13 at halftime but outscored Mt. Vernon 14-0 in the fourth quarter, thanks to a 26-yard touchdown run by Brooks Parham and 16-yard scoring run by Jermiah McGowen to emerge victorious.

“I thought we started out slow on offense, but finished strong,” Guard coach Scott Ryle said. “Our defense played a great game.”

Brook Hill finished with 382 yards of offense, 232 of the ground with McGowen (19-91), Parham (8-90) and quarterback Hood Taylor (11-51) all doing their part. McGowen finished with two touchdown runs and Taylor also passed for 150 yards and a touchdown.

Brook Hill senior Parker Galbraith recovered a fumble and had an interception while also leading his team in receiving with six catches for 81 yards.

The Guard defense was led by Jordon McGowen, Parham, Andrew Brook and Campbell Fletcher. Jordon McGowen was everywhere, recording 11 tackles while also posting three sacks. Parham had 12 tackles with Brook and Fletcher finishing with 10 and 9 tackles, respectively.

Brook Hill trailed 7-0 after the first quarter, but Taylor led the Guard back to tie the game early in the second quarter. He connected with Alec Kitt for an 11-yard touchdown, followed by the extra point from Caleb Collins to tie it up, 7-7.

A touchdown run by Mt. Vernon put Brook Hill behind again, 14-7.

The Guard turned to their ground game with Jermiah McGowen capping the drive with a 3-yard touchdown blast into the end zone. The PAT missed, leaving Brook Hill trailing 14-13 at halftime.

The Guard went to work in the third quarter and looked to be moments away from taking the lead back before a fumble on the 1-yard line denied the chance.

Brook Hill made amends in the fourth quarter. Parham broke loose to score on a 26-yard run, followed by the PAT from Collins to make it 20-14.

Mt. Vernon tried to answer, but Galbraith had other ideas, intercepting a pass to end the threat.

Brook Hill went back to work on offense. Jermiah McGowen visited pay-dirt for the second time in the game on a 16-yard run, followed by Collins’ PAT to help the Guard increase their advantage to 27-14 with 4:13 remaining.

The Guard defense did the rest, maintaining their second-half shutout to give Brook Hill a 13-point win.

GUARD STATS

Rushing (38-232): Jermiah McGowen 19-91, 2 TDs; Brooks Parham 8-90, TD; Hood Taylor 11-51

Passing (150): Hood Taylor 14 of 19 for 150, TD

Receiving: Parker Galbraith 6-81, Alec Kitt 3-39, Jordon McGowen 2-30, Garrett Davis 1-23, Brooks Parham 1-23, Jermiah McGowen 1-4

Interceptions (1): Parker Galbraith 1

Fumble Recoveries (1): Parker Galbraith 1

Sacks (4): Jordon McGowen 3, Colby White 1

Tackles (77): Brooks Parham 12, Jordon McGowen 11, Andrew Brook 10, Campbell Fletcher 9, Carson Ezell 7, Jake Ballenger 5, Chidiebere Nechi 5, Alec Kitt 4, Parker Galbraith 3, Jermiah McGowen 3, Joseph Ardi 3, Colby White 3, Logan Fitzgerald 2