In a back-and-forth affair, the Waterloo High School football squad pulled out an exciting 35-28 victory Friday night at Mt. Vernon to open the season.

It didn’t look promising early on, as the Rams rattled off a pair of rushing scores to go up 14-0 after one quarter. 

Mt. Vernon took the early lead, then stifled a promising Waterloo drive by recovering a fumble near midfield. The Rams turned that into another score and the early two-touchdown lead.

Defense ruled the second quarter, with the only score being a quarterback keeper by Waterloo’s Conrad Lindhorst from one yard out to make it a 14-7 game going into halftime. 

Waterloo cashed in on an 80-yard drive for its first score, converting two fourth downs in the process.

A wild third quarter started with a nine-yard TD run by Waterloo’s Jaxson Mathenia to tie the game. That was quickly answered by a Rams rushing score from 42 yards out. 

Then it was Justin Manning’s turn. He scored back-to-back rushing TDs to put the Bulldogs up 28-21 entering the fourth quarter. 

Mathenia recorded his second rushing TD of the night with just more than four minutes remaining to put the ‘Dogs up 35-21. 

Mt. Vernon scored on a passing play with 1:43 left in the contest but would get no closer. 

Mathenia, a state-qualifying wrestler last year as  freshman, led Waterloo’s 300-yard rushing attack with 135 yards. 

Derez Sayles added 83 yards on 17 carries. 

Chris Pete, a state-qualifying sprinter in track, provided the Bulldogs with good field position by returning two kickoffs for 74 yards. 

For the game, Waterloo possessed the ball for more than 33 of the 48 possible minutes. 

Other stars oF the night for the ‘Dogs included junior Tyler Theobald, who recovered a fumble on an onside kick, and fellow junior Lynden Dougherty, who recorded a quarterback sack.

Up next for Waterloo is the annual Route 3 Rivalry game against Columbia. This year’s edition takes place Friday at Columbia High School.

The Bulldogs won last year’s bragging rights game, 14-0 at home.