Mason Young-Wilson

Wilson has had a long history of outstanding quarterbacks, including former NFL players Kerry Collins and Chad Henne. Mason Young had to wait his turn before taking over under center. Madyx Gruber and Tommy Hunsicker, the Bulldogs’ past two quarterbacks, were both All-State selections. Young is now getting his time to shine and he made the most of it against Gov. Mifflin on Friday. The 6’2, 167-pound senior finished 7-of-10 for 234 yards and 4 TD. Young was a perfect 5-of-5 for 217 yards and 3 TD in the first half when Wilson built a 28-3 lead. The Bulldogs outgained the Mustangs 419-to-235 in the 42-10 victory at John Gurski Stadium. Wilson has won twelve of the last fifteen meetings with the team from Shillington. The Bulldogs hold a (41-27) edge in the series.

Gov. Mifflin muffed the opening kickoff and Wilson wasted no time taking advantage. Young fired a wide receiver screen to his left and Jaiden Carpenter picked up three blocks which resulted in a 31-yard touchdown. Young and the speedy Carpenter have a very good relationship. “We’ve been friends for a long time. I remember the first time I met him. He’s always been fast. He’s really great,” said Young. The Mustangs responded with a seven minute drive. After reaching the 2-yard line, they settled for a 24-yard field goal from Lance Koenig. Wilson went 86 yards in just three plays to go in front 14-3 early in the second quarter. Sophomore Damian Greer caught a pass down the right seam and raced all the way across the field for a 64-yard score. Mike Glover made it 21-3 midway through the second period with a 74-yard touchdown reception. The All-State tight end ran right by his defender. Young hit the 6’3, 223-pound junior in stride down the left seam. Glover had two catches for 101 yards. Young likes having a big target to throw to. “It makes it really safe for you. It’s either him or the sideline. He’s a big body and he’s gonna make a play,” replied Young.

Gov. Mifflin opted to roll the dice late in the first half. Instead of punting, the (2-4) Mustangs went for it on fourth-and-2 at their own 33-yard line. Lebron Leaf was held to one yard. It only took the (5-1) Bulldogs three plays to cash in on the short field. A 2-yard touchdown run by senior Correll Akings extended the margin to 28-3 with 1:21 remaining before halftime. Young noted the significance of establishing an early lead against Gov. Mifflin. “I think it was very important. They run the ball maybe 90% of the time. They’ll hold the ball for six minutes. It’s definitely huge to get a lead,” explained Young.

Leaf and Young threw back-to-back interceptions in the third quarter. The Mustangs took over at Wilson’s 42-yard line following a pick by Pat Steuer. Leaf found a wide open Joe Murray for a 23-yard touchdown pass with 3:38 left in the third period. Akings then had a 60-yard TD run called back due to a penalty. The Bulldogs were penalized a dozen times for 117 yards. All of the miscues didn’t slow them down much. Monty Greer ran off the right side for a 13-yard score with 2:17 to play in the third quarter. Wilson led 35-10 at that point. Young saved his best for last. He somehow managed to avoid a sack before rolling right and connecting with Eli Dean for a 7-yard TD pass. That nifty play made it 42-10 with 7:50 left on the clock. “He’s playing well. He’s still missing some reads, but he threw some nice balls. [He] did a great job getting free on that one where he should’ve been sacked. Making plays like that, that’s what he does,” said head coach Doug Dahms.

Akings had a game-high 73 rushing yards on eleven carries. Steuer led Gov. Mifflin with 64 yards on eleven runs. Leaf was limited to 21 yards on eight carries. The 6’2, 197-pound senior was 6-of-10 for 74 yards through the air. The Mustangs averaged just 3.6 yards per carry in their triple-option attack. E.J. Brownback, a 218-pound junior linebacker, racked up 14 tackles. Glover and sophomore Braydon Farrell added nine tackles apiece. The Bulldogs showed off their depth at the skill positions and hoisted the Gurski-Linn Trophy once again.