Brooks, Dorrell help Mount Ida withstand Mountainburg rally

Mount Ida 47, Mountainburg 34

MOUNTAINBURG — Jett Brooks broke an 86-yard touchdown run, Chris Dorrell scored twice in the third quarter and Mount Ida answered a late Mountainburg rally to remain unbeaten with a 47-34 victory Friday night.

The Lions improved to 6-0 after building a 40-7 lead. Mountainburg, now 1-5, pulled within 40-28 on Hayden McGill’s approximately 80-yard fumble return with 2:44 remaining, but Buck Miller recovered the ensuing onside kick and Hunter Brewer scored with 1:12 left to secure the victory.

Kaceston Phimvongsa opened the scoring with a five-yard run in the first quarter. The extra-point kick missed, leaving Mount Ida ahead 6-0. Dorrell supplied two first-down runs on the next possession, and Phimvongsa carried the ball to the 1 before the quarter ended.

Mount Ida finished that possession with a touchdown early in the second quarter, then Brooks ran for the two-point conversion and a 14-0 lead. Brooks subsequently broke up a fourth-down pass to give the Lions the ball again. Dorrell broke a long run to the Mountainburg 7, Brewer carried to the 1 and Phimvongsa scored his second touchdown. Miller’s kick made it 21-0.

Mountainburg answered with a one-yard quarterback run on fourth-and-goal. The Lions needed little time to respond. Backed up by a holding penalty on their next possession, Brooks took a pitch around the right side and raced 86 yards for a touchdown with 2:25 left in the half. A mishandled hold spoiled the conversion attempt, and Mount Ida took a 27-7 lead into halftime.

Aaron Gregory’s third-down sack helped force a punt on Mountainburg’s first possession of the second half. The Lions started at the Dragons’ 39, and Dorrell scored on a 30-yard run on third-and-one. Miller added the extra point for a 34-7 lead with 8:09 remaining in the third quarter.

The Mount Ida defense stopped Mountainburg on fourth-and-one on the next possession. Brewer’s run to the 20 helped set up another Dorrell touchdown, this one from two yards on fourth-and-goal. The two-point attempt failed, leaving the lead at 40-7.

Mountainburg began its comeback with a quarterback touchdown run and extra point with 1:07 left in the third. A one-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-goal cut the margin to 40-21 with 6:58 remaining before McGill scooped up a mishandled exchange and returned it for another score.

Miller’s onside-kick recovery protected the Lions’ possession. Brooks gained 23 yards on the first play and added another first-down run before Brewer finished the drive with a keeper around the right side. Miller’s kick made it 47-28. Mountainburg added a touchdown on the final play for the final margin.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

Mount Ida — Kaceston Phimvongsa five-yard touchdown run (kick failed), Mount Ida 6, Mountainburg 0.

2nd Quarter

Mount Ida — Kaceston Phimvongsa one-yard touchdown run (Buck Miller kick), Mount Ida 21, Mountainburg 0.

Mount Ida — Jett Brooks 86-yard touchdown run (conversion unsuccessful after mishandled hold), Mount Ida 27, Mountainburg 7. 2:25.

3rd Quarter

Mount Ida — Chris Dorrell 30-yard touchdown run (Miller kick), Mount Ida 34, Mountainburg 7. 8:09.

Mount Ida — Chris Dorrell two-yard touchdown run (two-point attempt failed), Mount Ida 40, Mountainburg 7.

4th Quarter

Mountainburg — Hayden McGill approximately 80-yard fumble return for a touchdown (kick good), Mount Ida 40, Mountainburg 28. 2:44.

Mount Ida — Hunter Brewer touchdown run (Miller kick), Mount Ida 47, Mountainburg 28. 1:12.

Players Who Stood Out

Jett Brooks, Mount Ida — Scored on an 86-yard run, ran for a two-point conversion and broke up a fourth-down pass. Opened the decisive late drive with a 23-yard run and another first-down gain.

Chris Dorrell, Mount Ida — Scored on runs of 30 and two yards in the third quarter. His long second-quarter run to the Mountainburg 7 set up Phimvongsa’s second touchdown.

Kaceston Phimvongsa, Mount Ida — Scored on runs of five and one yards in the first half and contributed a first-down run during the Lions’ late clock-consuming possession.

Hunter Brewer, Mount Ida — Scored on a keeper with 1:12 remaining. His third-quarter run to the Mountainburg 20 helped set up Dorrell’s fourth-and-goal touchdown.

Buck Miller, Mount Ida — Made three extra points and recovered the onside kick after Mountainburg cut the deficit to 12 points with 2:44 remaining.

Aaron Gregory, Mount Ida — Recorded a third-down sack that helped force a punt to open the second half. Also helped stop the return following Mount Ida’s final touchdown.

Hayden McGill, Mountainburg — Returned a fumble approximately 80 yards for a touchdown with 2:44 remaining, cutting Mount Ida’s lead to 40-28.