Lions upset No. 23 Wasps on Senior Day

Seniors shine in final home game of the year, downing No. 23 Emory & Henry.

Lions upset No. 23 Wasps on Senior Day
November 2, 2024

MARS HILL, N.C. - The Mars Hill football team (4-3, 4-2 SAC) defeated No. 23 Emory & Henry (7-2, 5-2 SAC) by a score of 31-23 Saturday afternoon in their final home game of the year inside Meares Stadium.

Mars Hill led 10-0 after the first quarter. Lon Teachey's 20-yard field goal opened the scoring with 4:14 left in the frame. With two minutes remaining, Neil Vertilus picked off a pass from Charles Mutter III, returning 55 yards for a touchdown, the first pick six on the day for Mars Hill.

In the second, Tristan Rankin picked off Cole Lambert with 6:09 remaining in the half, returning it 58 yards for the score. Rankin adds to his school record for career interceptions with his 17th career pick. With under a minute remaining, the Wasps broke through as Cam Abshire hauled in a 31-yard pass from Lambert.

The Wasps stung early in the third quarter, cutting the lead down to three as Jordan Jackson scored on the ground. With 8:35 left in the quarter, JR Martin scored the first of his two rushing touchdowns on the day, punching the ball in from one yard out. Martin, on a three-yard scamper, put the Lions up 31-14 with 1:21 left in the third.

Emory & Henry scored 10 unanswered points in the fourth, but Lions' defense held firm as Rankin nabbed his second interception of the contest. Jayden Alberty blocked the point after attempt following Jakari Mozelle's 27-yard touchdown reception. With under a minute to play, a muffed punt was recovered by Travis Shuford, securing the upset win.

Penalties and turnovers plagued the Wasps, as they took 11 penalties for 129 yards along with three interceptions. 

Martin led the Lions with 32 yards on the ground and two scores while throwing for 235 yards. Izaiah Jean-Baptiste caught five passes for 59 yards while Jon Gullette was on the receiving end of three balls for a team-high 71 yards.

Steven Reid led the Lions with nine tackles followed by eight from Dexter Fitzpatrick. Rankin pulled down two interceptions for 69 yards. Both he and Vertilus had pick-sixes and four tackles on the day.

Prior to the start of the contest, 21 Lions were recognized and celebrated for their contributions to the team over their time at Mars Hill. The list included the following student-athletes:

At halftime, Hudson Tucker and Jonas Randolph were officially inducted into the Mars Hill Hall of Fame.

Mars Hill returns to the field on Saturday, November 9 when they face Anderson for the first-time ever on the road. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.