There are many ways to describe the memorable 42-27 whooping which Mineola put on the Mt. Vernon Tigers Friday. Here are two.

Three consecutive sacks.

The Jackets had taken an 11-point lead late in the fourth quarter. The Tigers had 5:25 remaining. To pull this one out, they would have to score fast.

A first-and-10 pass went incomplete. On second down, Mineola’s Eddie Guerra blitzed off the right edge, came clean and crushed the Tiger quarterback for a big loss.

On third down, with the Tiger quarterback scrambling, searching for a receiver, defensive end Chris Rossie ran him down for a big loss.

Fourth down. It was a straight drop-back. The Jackets got a huge push up the middle. Juan Villanueva first got his hands on the quarterback and Rossie came in to drill him into the turf. 

A pancake block.

Pancake blocks are the stuff of dreams mostly – they are that difficult to execute. It means that through technique and strength, an offensive player is able to get underneath a defensive player and plant him on his back. It requires strength, timing and quick feet.

Early in the fourth quarter it was a one point game. On the strength of Braydon Alley (246 yards on 28 carries, four touchdowns) the Jackets were at the Tiger 3-yard line. A score puts them back on top. 

Alley took the snap and started off right guard. The right side of the line blocked down and walled off.

Offside guard Bryson Myers pulled into the hole. In the melee, David Reyes drove the Mt. Vernon defensive tackle five yards into the end zone and put him on his back.

Alley scored; Mineola did not relinquish this lead. 

The Yellowjackets were more physical, more engaged and more disciplined, a great combination. 

By all standards it was an amazing win. The Jackets had to overcome a tough start and three turnovers. They had to generate momentum when the flow of the game was going against them. 

It was Braydon Alley’s game to be sure. He frustrated Mt. Vernon defenders at every turn, using a repertoire of running tactics – a shoulder and head fake, a slip, a cut-back or simply lowering his shoulder and running over tacklers. 

The win highlighted other stellar efforts as well. The Mineola secondary more than held its own against a pass-happy Tiger offense.

Interceptions were recorded by linebacker Paul Stanley and safety Noah Turner. 

Rossie’s attempt to cover a fumble by the Tiger quarterback caused the ball to escape the Mt. Vernon quarterback, and Edgar Rubio scooped the ball and scored.

Colton McMahon continued to make a big impact for the Jackets. He ably returned kicks and had a key 21-yard carry on the first scoring drive. Alley lofted a perfect pass to McMahon, who had run a wheel route out of the backfield for a 76-yard scoring play. It sealed the win. 

Placekicker Noah Turner, snapper Moses Medellin and holder Hunter Wernecke were completely in synch as the trio went six for six on extra point attempts. 

All these individual efforts aside, it was a complete team win. With Pottsboro coming to town Friday, the Yellowjackets have a taste of the type of football they must play against the Cardinals.