MUS Sports News

Turnovers Help Owls Defeat Falcons

With the help of four Kingsbury turnovers and a balanced offensive attack, the MUS varsity football team overcame an athletic, scrappy Falcon squad to win, 42-7, in its home opener. With the victory, the Owls (2-0) secured their twenty-eighth straight win, a school record.

Just as he did last week, junior QB Toby Baker rushed for two touchdowns, both from 2-yards out. The first came with 2:14 left in the first quarter as the run completed a 6-play, 90-yard drive. The score was set up by Landon Finney’s 75-yard reception that got the ball to the Falcon 2-yard line. From there, Baker’s run and Gary Wunderlich’s extra point gave MUS the 7-0 lead.

Senior LB Henry Dickinson doubled that advantage as he intercepted Falcon QB Wesley Whitmore early in the second quarter and returned it 35-yards for the score. With Wunderlich’s PAT, the Owls looked as if they would blow the game open as they took the 14-0 lead.

However, Kingsbury (0-2) got back into the game on their next possession after a 67-yard kickoff return. Randolf Zleh’s 7-yard scamper closed the lead to 14-7 with 7:39 left in the half.

But MUS answered later in the quarter following another Dickinson forced turnover.

After Dickinson’s fumble recovery at the Falcon 26-yard line, Baker found William Cross from 23-yards out on the second play of the possession to give the hosts the 21-7 lead at the half.

The Owls added three more scores in the second half and were able to repel Kingsbury each time the Falcons threatened to score.

Baker’s second rushing touchdown came late in the third quarter.

Then, Kingsbury answered by putting together a nice drive that advanced deep into Owl territory. However, facing 4th-and-goal from the MUS 4-yard line, Whitmore was intercepted by junior DB Alex Dale, who raced 98-yards for the touchdown. That return set a school record for longest interception return in school history, besting the 96-yard mark set by Lowell Hays in 2008.

Finney closed the scoring just 26 seconds later following another Falcon turnover.

After Dickinson’s second fumble recovery of the game at the Kingsbury 14-yard line, MUS needed only two plays to score as Finney went in from 4-yards out. Wunderlich completed his perfect night with the PAT as the Owls cruised.

Despite the lopsided score, MUS was challenged by the athletic Falcons, who gained 152 rushing yards. But the opportunistic Owl defense forced four turnovers to keep Kingsbury from gaining any meaningful momentum as MUS improved to 2-0.

Next Friday night, South Panola (MS) comes to MUS for the first time. The Owls will look to defeat the defending Mississippi 6-A state champs for the second consecutive year after having posted the 21-19 victory in Batesville last year. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m., and tickets can be purchased in advance from the MUS business office.

MUS Alumni Playing College Football

Two articles recently appeared highlighting MUS football alumni.

First, Vanderbilt senior linebacker John Stokes '06, who will be counted on to lead the Commodores' defense this year, had an eventful summer traveling with his brother, Will '08. Click here to read about what they did and what will be expected of John this year on the field. 

Then at Richmond, Max Prokell '05 has paid his dues to earn playing time for the FCS power Spiders. As a senior, he has finally entered the starting lineup as his athleticism, attitude, and intelligence have earned him important playing time. Click here to read about Max.

Congratulations to these seniors, and good luck on their seasons.   

No Matter The Venue, Owls Win Another BRIDGES Opener

Regardless of the venue, the MUS varsity football team seems to enjoy playing in the BRIDGES Kickoff Classic.

Having played in all ten classics at three different sites, the Owls again used this game to get their season off to a good start.  With their 28-7 victory over Millington last Saturday at CBHS, MUS took their seventh-consecutive victory in the Classic. The win also marks the Owls' twenty-seventh straight triumph, a school record.

Junior QB Toby Baker, starting his first game as the Owls' signal caller, ran for two first-half touchdowns and threw another as MUS jumped out to an early lead and never looked back.

Almost exclusively out of the shotgun, Baker found seven different receivers in the first half as he led MUS to two scores on their first two possessions. Both drives culminated in Baker 1-yard sneaks for touchdowns, and with Gary Wunderlich's extra-points, the Owls led the Trojans 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Baker added a third score just before halftime as he found a wide-open Forrest Baty for the 36-yard touchdown. Again, Wunderlich's PAT extended the lead.

At the break, MUS was firmly in control as they had worn down the Millington defense with their no-huddle, short passing attack. At the half, Baker was 19-28 for 198 yards. His two favorite receivers were Baty and William Cross, each with 7 receptions.  And defensely, though Millington had some success on the ground, particularly back Roland Genesy, who had 75 yards at halftime, the Owls were never seriously threatened.

With their 21-point halftime advantage, MUS was determined to control the ball and play many players in the second half, and they accomplished both goals.

MUS added a touchdown late in the third quarter as following a missed Millington field goal, the Owls traveled 80 yards in only 7 plays. Baty went around the right side and outraced the defenders for a 25-yard score as he ended his big evening. Wunderlich again was true as the lead grew to 28.

Millington added a late touchdown on a Travon-Taylor 45-yard run with just 1:42 remaining in the game to avoid the shutout, but the Owls remained in control throughout to cruise to their seventh-straight season-opening win.

Baker ended the evening with 215 yards passing as he went 21-31. Baty also had a good night with 8 catches for 93 yards and 3 carries for 29 yards.  Cross hauled in 7 balls for 78 yards.

Fernando Van Hook led MUS in rushing with 95 yards, all coming in the second half. The Owls' ability to run the ball and not turn it over allowed them to stay in control.

Next Friday night, MUS returns to Stokes Stadium for their home opener. Kickoff against the Kingsbury Falcons, a 48-38 loser to Brentwood Academy in week 0, is set for 7:30 p.m. as the school will unveil its new video scoreboard.