Hayfield, Mount Vernon fall in playoffs

November 10, 2017 Sports
Brian Cobbs

Brian Cobbs runs the ball against Hylton in the first half of Hayfield’s 47-13 loss.

Hayfield and Mount Vernon saw their football seasons end abruptly Friday night in the first round of the Division 6 playoffs.

On easily the coldest night of the 2017 season, Hayfield (8-3) had its five-game winning streak snapped at home against Hylton. The Bulldogs (8-3), led by running back Ricky Slade Jr. and quarterback Jordan Davis, used a powerful ground game to dominate the Hawks en route to a 47-13 win. 

Hayfield’s night peaked early in the first quarter, when the Hawk defense forced a fumble on Hylton’s opening drive. Junior linebacker Willas Rouse recovered for the Hawks.

Starting his fourth straight game at quarterback, senior Brian Cobbs quickly guided Hayfield down the field and ran it in from five yards out to give the Hawks’ a 7-0 lead.

That would be Hayfield’s best drive until late in the fourth quarter. Hylton quickly scored and then recovered a misplayed kickoff before scoring again. From there the rout was on, as Hylton’s defense forced consecutive three and outs for the Hawks and consistently stymied Cobbs and the Hawks. 

The Bulldogs would only punt once in the first half as Slade scored four first-half TDs. The Bulldogs went into intermission with a 35-7 lead, and Slade would add another TD in the third quarter to ice the game.

The loss caps a strong four-year stretch for Hayfield, with the Hawks winning district titles in three of the last four seasons, including a perfect record in the new Gunston District this season.

Mount Vernon didn’t fare any better in their first round matchup, as the 7th-seeded Majors traveled to Woodbridge and got blanked the second-seeded Vikings 27-0. It was the first time Mount Vernon (7-4) has been shut out this season. 

The Majors were forced to play one of Northern Virginia’s best defenses without the services of star slotback Darrien Newton, who injured his shoulder last week. 

For Mount Vernon’s seniors, the loss ends a remarkable turnaround for a program that won a combined two games during their freshman and sophomore seasons. Last year the Majors made the playoffs and finished 5-6, and this season broke through for their best record since 2008.