By Rachel Bell

  Every high school football team dreams of playing on the shining turf under the twinkling lights of the UNI Dome. Few teams achieve this goal. There’s something special, for fans and players alike, in seeing each individual play on the big screen. The bleachers seemingly span to the sky, leaving plenty of room for anxious fans. The division is clear, the west side engulfed in maroon, while the east side is a sea of red. The dome is an experience in itself, but it’s even better when it’s your team on the field.

    The Mount Vernon football team followed a 2015 State Runner Up

with another run in the dome. The team lost the first two games of the season, but nothing stopped their perseverance. For the first time since 2003, the Mustangs won the District Title in a game against Williamsburg. The Mustangs continued the season without a loss and earned their way to a UNI Dome semi-final game with a final score of 28-49 With old players leaving and new ones joining, each team is a little different every year. Towards the end of the season, each game could be the last for the team’s seniors. “It just made me want to play even harder, I focused on really enjoying the experience with my teammates,” said senior Jack Cochrane. However, the team’s spirit is always the same–lively and ravenous. The team took each Friday night one game at a time–and it paid off.

    “They were a hardworking group both during the season and out of season and they made a name for themselves,” said Coach Lance Pedersen. “A new season brings about new opportunity, new challenges, and new beginnings,” he said. Strong coaches combined with strong players made this team one to remember. Big scores were a common interest in all of the team’s games, with their highest scoring game against Camanche, with a final tally of 78-0.

    United under a proud town and an even prouder school district, the Mount Vernon football team fought their way to the top. Only time will tell what’s next in store. Pedersen said he’s excited to watch the players excel in other sports, academics, and activities over the upcoming months and can’t wait until July 31, when the season starts over yet again.