Football Recap: Mt. Vernon Takes Loss Despite Strong Efforts from Cassmen Hughes and Jashawn Staples

The Mt. Vernon Rams ended up a good deal behind the Tolono Unity Rockets on Friday and lost 55-37. While losing is never fun, the Rams can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Illinois football rankings (they are ranked 220th, while the Rockets are ranked 71st).

Jashawn Staples

Rushing Touchdowns

09/05/25 @ Carbondale	3
10/24/25 vs Tolono Unity	2
10/10/25 vs Granite City	2
09/26/25 vs Althoff Catholic	2

Despite the defeat, Mt. Vernon had strong showings from Jashawn Staples, who gained 168 total yards and three touchdowns, and Cassmen Hughes, who threw for 157 yards and a pair of TDs. Staples also punched in two rushing touchdowns, which is notable because the Rams are 3-1 when he posts at least two rushing touchdowns, but 0-5 otherwise.

Tolono Unity's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Dane Eisenmenger led the charge by throwing for 407 yards and four touchdowns while picking up 15.1 yards per attempt, and also rushing for 48 yards and a pair of scores. The dominant performance also gave Eisenmenger a new career-high in rushing touchdowns (two). Tolono Unity's leading receiver Tre Hoggard was Eisenmenger's top target yet again, picking up 240 receiving yards and three TDs.

Mt. Vernon has been struggling recently as they've lost three of their last four matchups. That's put a noticeable dent in their 3-6 record this season. That patch can't be blamed on the team's offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 40.3 points over those games. As for Tolono Unity, their win bumped their record up to 8-1.

Mt. Vernon does not have any more games scheduled as of now. As for Tolono Unity, they didn't take long to hit the field again: they've already played their next contest, a 42-14 victory against Mt. Carmel on the 1st.