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.
Comments