Take two teams, traditional rivals, each desperate for a win, and throw them together in perfect East Texas late-September weather. What you get is a 17-14 final.

In this case, it was a narrow victory for the Mt. Vernon Tigers over the Mineola Yellowjackets at Meredith Memorial Stadium Friday night.

‘Hard-fought’ is an overused cliché in sports-writing, but there are occasions when that moniker fits. Last Friday was one of those occasions. 

Both teams were visibly amped-up for this game. That showed in the first quarter when the aggressiveness of each defense dominated.

It was a scoreless first quarter, but the Tigers were moving the ball at the quarter break.

Mt. Vernon converted two third downs on an 85-yard scoring drive. A third-and-10 completion for a first down was the critical play. The Tigers led 7-0.

The home side went nuts when Aidan Shepherd took the ensuing deep kick-off and broke straight up the middle. Once he cracked through the on-rushing coverage team, he broke right and outraced all pursuit en route to the end zone. 

The third kick-off return for a touchdown this year – and Shepherd’s second – put the Jackets on the scoreboard.

Leading 7-6, the Tigers moved 59 yards in seven plays to increase their lead to 14-6 with 6:39 remaining in the half.

The Jackets used a great mix of run and pass to move the ball to the Tigers’ 26-yard line as the half drew to a close. On a fourth-and-10, Zane Strange attempted to find Colton McMahon in the end zone. The pass was contested and the ball fell between McMahon and the defender. 

The second half was what East Texas football is all about. Each play was a gut-check.

Mt. Vernon took the kick-off and moved 66 yards in 13 plays. On a fourth-and-1 from the Mineola 2-yard line, the Jackets’ defense welled up and stoned the interior run. 

Steven Reyes penetrated the line and impacted the legs of the Tiger runner. Javaryon Brumsey finished the tackle. It was a rousing moment for the home side. 

The Jackets rallied. Behind some tough running by Braelyn Geremonte, Mineola pushed to midfield. After getting stuffed on a first-down carry, freshman Kipton Neighbors took the second-down hand-off and sliced through the right side of the Tiger defense. He accelerated 52-yards for a touchdown.

The line paved a path for Shepherd to carry the 2-point conversion to tie the score with 11:06 left in the game.

A well-placed kick-off by Noah Turner gave Mt. Vernon the ball at their own 13. Mineola had the momentum.

The Tigers proceeded to burn 10 minutes and 24 seconds off the clock. They drove 82 yards in 20 plays and booted the game-winning field goal with only seconds left.

Mt. Vernon converted 4-of-5 third downs on the drive. 

The game was decided on third down. The Tigers converted 73% of theirs, Mineola 57%.

The Yellowjackets travel to Winnsboro Friday. The Raiders are coming off a big win over Commerce.