The clock keeps ticking on the Mt. Vernon Rams’ season, but midnight is yet to come. The Orange and Black faced a previously defeated foe in the Triad Knights, and while the path to victory was altered, the result still remained the same as had been in their prior battle in January.

The Mt. Vernon Rams (18-10) will continue their season following a 42-28 win over Triad in the first round of the IHSA Class 3A Regionals in Salem. While the Rams posted their fifth-lowest scoring total in 2018-19, their defensive performance gave them their lowest-scoring win all year, a stark contrast from a 65-36 thrashing of the Knights in the Salem Invitational Tournament.

While the Rams were held in check offensively, they still managed double-digit performances from Weston Brockhouse, ’19 (13 points) and Simon Wilson, ’20 (12 points). Carson Prost, ’21 (seven points), Quani Rudd, ’21 (six points), and Dylan Harkins, ’21 (four points) also added to the final score.

The win-or-go-home contest was expected to be a relatively high-scoring game – the Rams have broken the 60-point mark during their ongoing 4-game winning streak – but they were cold out of the gate, and Triad kept pace with the Rams. The Knights trailed 9-8 after one quarter, and were tied at 14 when halftime arrived.

Mt. Vernon’s tough offensive night could be attributed to missing two starters in Amir Spann, ’20 (knee) and Jackson Creel, ’20 (concussion). The juniors are the leading and 4th-leading scorers respectively for the Rams.

Both teams nearly doubled their scores in the third period, with the Rams leading 28-25. However, combined efforts from Brockhouse, Wilson, and Prost put the game out of reach for the Knights and ended Triad’s season.

Now, the Rams face an even greater test. A familiar foe in Salem looms ahead, having already defeated the Rams twice at B.E. Gum Gymnasium. The Wildcats received a bye for the first round, and are well-prepared for Mt. Vernon. With the Rams’ season on the line, can they pull off what has eluded them for months?

Tipoff for the Regional semifinal is at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, February 27th.