MARION — The Mt. Vernon Rams won four games over the previous four seasons. With a 32-20 win at Marion Friday night, the Rams improved to 4-1 this season in Dan Mings’ return as head coach.

Ethan Rivera rushed for 219 yards and three touchdown, Anthony Lash added 124 yards rushing and a score, and the Karey Richardson intercepted a pair of passes as the Rams’ defense forced four turnovers on the way to their first win over Marion since 2008.

Mt. Vernon struck first, as Rivera scored from five yards out to give the Rams a 6-0 lead 1:19 into the game.

Evan Noelle threw a pair of first quarter touchdown passes as the Wildcats grabbed a 12-6 lead after one.

The Rams defense did not allow another score until the fourth quarter. By then, the offense had rattled off 19 straight points to lead 25-12.

Tommy Wiseman scored and Brody Larson added the two-point conversion to pull Marion within 25-20 with 8:54 left, but Lash put it away with a 14-yard TD run with 3:16 to play, capping an 11-play, 80-yard drive that ate up more than five and a half minutes.

Mt. Vernon will travel to Carbondale Friday. Marion (3-2, 1-1) is also on the road Friday, at Althoff.