ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Mervo (13-1) quarterback Raymond Moore found receiver Justin DaVaughn for a 31-yard touchdown with just over two minutes to play, as the Mustangs completed a second half comeback to defeat North Point (13-1), 14-7, in the 4A/3A State Championship game at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Saturday evening.
The Mustangs, who were shut out in the first half, were able to find some consistency on offense in the second half against a tough North Point defense. The Eagles loss is the first since the end of the 2021 season, also a defeat at the hands of Mervo.
After a scoreless first quarter filled with punts, the Eagles struck first early in the second quarter as DJ Brown ran in a 4-yard score. North Point took a 7-0 lead, which it would hold until the break.
Play resumed after the intermission, and as the fog continued to roll in, so did the Mervo offense. North Point running back Kaleb Hart was stripped of the ball with the Eagles backed up against their own goal line, and Mervo took over immediately with a goal-to-go situation. Mustangs running back Bobby Johnson scored from a yard out, but the extra point was blocked.
Mervo’s first attempt to go ahead in the 4th quarter came with approximately five minutes, as the Mustangs made it up to the 13 yard line. But several penalties pushed them back, and they were unable to convert.
North Point took over on downs, but was not able to move it beyond the sticks. The Eagles punt was short, and the Mustangs would take over on the 38 yard line. Two plays later is when Moore found Davaughn for the eventual game-winning score. The Eagles got the ball back one more time, but were not able to do anything with it.
Mervo’s state title marks the second time in three years that the Mustangs have won the championship, and only the second time in school history.
