It took undefeated and fourth-ranked Malakoff to slow down the Aiden Shepherd Express as the Tigers defeated Mineola 70-7. Mineola’s offense, which entered the game averaging more than 44 points per game, was held in check by the Malakoff defense.
The Tigers won the Class 3A Division I state championship in 2023 and finished as state runner-up in 2024 before going 8-4 last season. The youthful Mineola squad will look to put the loss behind it as district play continues.
Shepherd was held to 31 rushing yards and 36 receiving yards while scoring Mineola’s lone touchdown. He has scored at least one touchdown in each game this season and entered the contest averaging 240 rushing yards per game after a 300-yard performance against Lone Oak.
Junior Braelyn Geremonte took on more of the rushing load in the second half, finishing with 47 yards on 13 carries and adding 36 receiving yards.
Freshman quarterback Braxton Moore continued to gain varsity experience, completing 14 of 22 passes for 151 yards.
Moore was named Mineola’s offensive player of the game by MaxPreps. Brycen Watkins was named defensive player of the game, while Carson Sullivan earned special teams player of the game honors.
For the season, Shepherd has 994 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, while Moore has totaled 866 passing yards. Both rank among the district leaders.
The loss dropped Mineola to 2-3 overall and 0-1 in district play, while Malakoff improved to 5-0 and 1-0.
Mineola travels to Mount Vernon this week, while Malakoff hosts Rains. After the first week of District 7-3A Division I play, Malakoff, Rains and Winnsboro are each 1-0, while Mineola, Commerce and Eustace are 0-1. Mount Vernon had a bye last week and will open district play against Mineola.
The Yellowjackets will travel to the hometown of former NFL quarterback Don Meredith to face a Mount Vernon team that enters the game 3-1.
Mineola’s Shepherd averages nearly 200 rushing yards per game, while Mount Vernon running back Brycen Fountain averages 126. Moore averages 216 passing yards per game, while Mount Vernon quarterback Jackson Gray averages 145. Mineola is averaging about 40 points per game, compared with 24 for Mount Vernon.
Fountain, No. 3, leads the Mount Vernon rushing attack and will be one of the players the Mineola defense will have to contain.
Mount Vernon opened the season with a 32-18 victory over Paris North Lamar, followed by wins over New Boston, 43-16, and Blue Ridge, 22-21. The Tigers entered their bye week following a 55-0 loss to Canton on Sept. 19.
Mineola and Mount Vernon kick off at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Mount Vernon.