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Mustangs Trample Vikings on Senior Night, Clinch Region Title

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HUNTINGDON (October 11) — It was a big night at Paul Ward Stadium Thursday as the Huntingdon Mustangs remained undefeated with a dominant win over region foe Perry County, locked up the Region 6-1A title and honored fall sports seniors.
With a 56-6 victory over the Vikings, the Mustangs are statistically guaranteed to come out on top in the region. Two weeks remain in the regular season, but with a bye in the final week, Huntingdon will close out the season Thursday at Middleton. A likely win by the heavily-favored Mustangs will give them the region outright, but a loss would allow Wayne County and/or Collinwood the opportunity to finish the season tied with Huntingdon for the best region record. Regardless, the Mustangs’ head-to-head wins over both teams and a superior overall record would earn them the title.
Prior to Thursday’s game, seniors participating in fall athletics were recognized on the field and escorted by parents and other family members.
Senior football players are Dallas Willis, Paxton Weir, Kelby Pearson, Dejuan Smith, Matthew Ellis, Austin Avery, Kody Byrd, Joseph Richardson, Chris Chaney, Damion Byrd and Dorian Williams.
Senior cheerleaders are Katilyn Williams, Kaitlynn Batey, Maggie Guess and Corbin Sullivan.
Senior band members are Payton Connell, Taya Beauregard, William Andrew Lee, Samantha Dunn, Adam Barnhart, Zachari Shipe, Wesley Lamar, Stephani Miller, Jen Farmer, Emily Coleman, Mateo Beal, Brayden Campbell and Molly Sturgis.
Senior AB Club representatives are Grace Guarino, Emma Ross, Grace McMackin, Kelsey Hayes, Caitlin Kreuziger, Katilyn Williams, Kaitlynn Batey, Brayden Campbell, Katie Chase, Ryleigh Bailey and Leah Hayes.
Senior golfers are Angelina Culley, Ethan Ricketts, Katie Chase, Jacob Wilkes and Clay Pinson.
Senior cross-country runners are Ryleigh Bailey, Leah Hayes, Jacob Churchwell, Matthew Ellis, Maggie Guess, Payton Connell, Grace Guarino, Kelsey Hayes, Katie Chase and Clay Pinson.
Perry County won the coin toss and elected to defer possession to the second half.
Mustang Dallas Willis received the opening kickoff and returned it to the Huntingdon 45. Konnor Pearson took the first snap 55 yards for a touchdown. Cole Edwards kicked the PAT, and Huntindgon led 7-0 just 18 seconds into the contest.
The ensuing kickoff by Edwards went into the end zone on one bounce for a touchback to start the Vikings at their own 20. Gage Deavers ran three times for a net loss, and Perry County punted. Mustang Daquon Robinson picked up the punt and returned it about 60 yards for a touchdown, but a penalty brought the ball back to the Viking 32.
Mustang quarterback Hunter Ensley scrambled to the outside on first down. Under pressure, he threw a low pass which was tipped and intercepted by Viking Walker Wright.
Taking over at the 30, Perry County again went three-and-out despite a sharp third-down pass from quarterback Tyler Dudley to Payne Coblentz. The punt by Bryson Fuqua sailed out of bounds at midfield.
Robinson made a short gain on first down, then went to the outside on second down for 42 yards. On first-and-goal at the 6, Konnor Pearson ran for two. Ensley kept the next snap and dove for the four-yard touchdown. Edwards kicked, and Huntingdon led 14-0 with six minutes remaining in the opening frame.
Edwards kicked off for another touchback, and the Mustang defense forced a third straight three-and-out. Robinson grabbed the Fuqua punt around the 30 and returned it to the Huntingdon 46.
Ensley started the drive with a long pass to Kelby Pearson, who tacked on extra yards for a gain of 42. Ensley went right back to Pearson for a 12-yard touchdown pass. Edwards split the uprights, and the Mustangs led 21-0 with 4:31 still to play in the first quarter.
Edwards’ kickoff was shorter, but resulted in even worse field position for Perry County as Gunter Baker fell on it at the 17. The staunch Mustang defense again yielded a three-and-out, and Fuqua’s punt was downed at the Huntingdon 45.

Ensley took to the air again, this time targeting Dallas Willis for a 55-yard touchdown. Edwards booted the point after, and the lead was up to 28-0 with just over three minutes left in a long first.
Another touchback started the Vikings at the 20, and again the drive fizzled into a three-and-out. Fuqua’s punting continued to be a strong point for Perry County, setting the Mustangs back at their own 38.
Ensley threw deep to a wide-open Kelby Pearson, who would have scored easily had an off-balance catch not sent him into the turf. Still, the 42-yard catch meant a first down at the 20. Dejuan Smith carried for six, then went the last 14 for the score on second down. The PAT by Edwards gave Huntingdon a 35-0 lead with ten seconds to go in the first frame.
The quarter ended with Edwards’ kickoff picked up by Baker and returned to the 29. Yet another three-and-out was highlighted by an eleven-yard sack by Mustang Bo McLemore. The Fuqua punt went out of bounds at the Viking 36.
Willis ran to the outside on first down for another quick score. Edwards kicked for a 42-0 advantage early in the second.
Next was another Edwards touchback, another Perry County three-and-out and another strong Fuqua punt, downed at the Huntingdon 34.
Konnor Pearson started the drive with a 22-yard carry, then promptly finished it with a 44-yard touchdown run. Edwards added the point-after, and the Mustangs led 49-0 with just over five minutes left in the first half.
Edwards kicked for another touchback, but Huntingdon jumped offside on first down for a five-yard penalty. Dudley then threw to Wright for 15 yards to move the chains for the first time in the game. The Mustangs shut down the drive there, and Fuqua’s punt was downed at the Huntingdon 39.
The Mustangs made numerous offensive substitutions and ran three plays for short gains before the half ended.
The Vikings started the second half at the 20 after a touchback. Dudley again threw to Wright, gaining nine yards. The next pass was incomplete, then Deavers was stopped for a loss by Mustang Sebastian Kee. On fourth-and-two, Dudley threw incomplete, but Huntingdon was flagged for pass interference. With a fresh set of downs, Deavers ran for three, then fumbled on the next play. Mustang Blake Reeves recovered at the Perry County 45.
Huntingdon committed a pair of penalties on the ensuing possession to bring up third-and-21, then turned the ball over on a fumble.
Taking over at the Mustang 48, Dudley again connected with Wright for a first down. From the 24, he then threw incomplete three times. On fourth down, Reeves and Noah Belew swooped in for an eleven-yard sack.
Huntingdon took over at the 35, but fumbled the ball away again on the first play, ending the third quarter.
Perry County started the final frame with a false start, then Dudley threw three incomplete passes. On fourth-and-long, he found Wright, but not for enough yardage to prevent the turnover on downs.
The Mustangs took over at their own 44. Malek Cannon ran for three, then for another eight to move the chains. Grant Bartholomew gained four, then Ethan Reliford scored from 44 yards out. Edwards completed a perfect night with his eighth PAT, and Huntingdon led 56-0 with under seven minutes of running clock remaining in the game.
The ensuing kickoff sailed out of bounds, starting the Vikings at the 35. Deavers made a short gain, then Dudley threw to Wright for a large gain. Dudley followed with another first-down pass to Brier Brown, then threw to Coblentz for a 27-yard touchdown. Deavers failed on the two-point attempt, and the Mustang lead was 56-6.
Fuqua kicked off for Perry County as time expired.
The Mustangs (9-0, 5-0) will wrap the regular season Thursday at Middleton, then enjoy a bye week to prepare for a November 2 home playoff game.