Lions tame Sweetwater for bi-district championship

Daniel Walker
Vernon Record
GRAHAM — The Vernon Lions defeated the Sweetwater Mustangs by a 28-9 score last Friday in the 3A-DI bi-district playoff game. The win was the first bi-district title for Vernon since 2018.
The Lions defense played lights out, holding the high-flying Mustangs to 64 yards rushing on 25 carries, and 124 pass yards, while forcing three turnovers.
“Friday was probably our best game. Defensively, we had their number. You have their number by first dominating in the trenches, and by executing the game plan. Our preparation was good, we circled the wagons after some drama. I am very proud of the kids. They focused, and executed. As coaches we watch a ton of film. We do our best effort to give the boys a chance to win the game. We watched them play Jim Ned and offensively they scared the crap out of me. Sweetwater did what we expected they’d do. The kids did what we asked of them. Our kids found a way, they played hard, and got a win against a very good team,” Coach Kevin Sherrill said.
Vernon’s first drive ended in an interception near midfield, and the Mustangs used a penalty to get inside the Lions 35. But the defense got a sack from Bowie Aiken that forced a fumble, and Tice Payne recovered at the Vernon 38. The Lions converted a fake punt, but stalled out on a 4th and long and they opted to pin the Mustangs deep, punting down to the 14.
Three plays later, cornerback J’dyn Cooper jumped up and picked off a quick slant pass and returned it down to the 2-yard-line with two seconds left in the first quarter. On the first play of the second quarter quarterback Ty Scott barreled up the middle for a 1-yard touchdown. Shallowater blocked the PAT attempt, and on the return, fumbled the ball in what looked to be a forward fumble, but it was allowed. And the Mustangs returned it for two points and the score was 6-2.

Read more on the playoff win in this week’s print and online editions.