MUS Sports News

Dickinson Wins Mr. Football Award

Congratulations to Henry Dickinson, who was named the Division II-AA Mr. Football Lineman of the Year at a lunch in Murfreesboro earlier today.

Dickinson was one of three finalists for the award, besting Woody Baron of Brentwood Academy and Keenen Crenshaw of Ensworth.

The senior linebacker led the Owls in tackles this season, recording 116. He also notched twelve tackles-for-loss for 47 yards, one sack, four interceptions, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one touchdown on an interception return.

Next season, Dickinson plans on attending the University of Illinois to play football.

Owls' Season Ends In Quarterfinals

Behind an explosive offense that amassed 42 points and 334 yards in the first half, the Brentwood Academy Eagles advanced in the Division II-AA playoffs with a 42-24 victory over the two-time defending state champion, MUS Owls. The loss ends the Owls’ season at 7-4.

BA jumped out early on the hosts as they scored on their first three possessions to go up 21-3 early in the second quarter.

First, out of the Wildcat formation, D’Montre Wade ran in from 8-yards out to complete a dominating 5-play, 65-yard drive that took up only 1:39.

Then after a defensive stand, the Eagles scored again as QB Matthew Hamby scrambled in from 12-yards out to double the lead with 6:07 left in the first quarter.

MUS scored their first points on their next possession after having taken over at their own 20-yard line. The big play on the drive was a 46-yard completion from Toby Baker to William Cross to get the Owls to the Brentwood Academy 15-yard line. However, facing 3rd-and-8 from the BA 13-yard line, Baker’s screen pass to Forrest Baty garnered only 5 yards, and the Owls elected to kick the field goal. Gary Wunderlich’s fourth field goal of the year, this one from 25-yards out, allowed MUS to pull to 14-3 with 3:33 left in the opening quarter.

But the Owls could not stop BA in the first half on this evening.

The Eagles increased their advantage to 21-3 on the ensuing possession as Hamby snuck in from 1-yard out to complete an 11-play, 38-yard drive that took up 3:47.

But MUS did not quit.

Following two turnovers, one by each team, MUS found itself at the BA 34-yard line. The Owls needed only one play to score as Baker found Fernando Van Hook down the home sideline, and Van Hook fought off double coverage to haul in the touchdown. Wunderlich’s PAT brought the Owls back to 21-10 with 10:17 left in the half.

But MUS was not finished.

Following a second straight turnover, the Owls again took advantage of the opportunity. Taking over at the Eagle 21-yard line following a Jason-Manis fumble recovery, the hosts again needed only one play to score as Baker found Landon Finney for the touchdown. Wunderlich’s extra point closed the gap to 21-17 with 9:50 remaining in the half.

However, that margin was as close as MUS would get. BA began to take care of the ball and found success by being balanced on offense. The Eagles would score on their final three possessions of the half to take a commanding 42-17 halftime lead.

Hamby connected with Al Thompson for two scores, one from 20-yards out and the other from 5-yards out, and Victor Caro ran for the other on a 22-yard scamper as the visitors seized control over the stunned Owls.

BA dominated not only on the scoreboard, but also in statistics at the half as they accumulated 22 first downs, 122 rushing yards, and 212 passing yards. They held the ball 16:33 out of the 24 first-half minutes and did not punt in the half.

In the second half, the Owls hoped to continue to play hard, execute, and seek turnovers as they looked to get back into the game.

Though the MUS defense played much better in the second half as they did not allow BA to score, the offense hurt themselves with turnovers as they committed three in the third quarter, ending all hopes of a comeback.

The Owls did score one final touchdown midway through the fourth quarter as Baker again found Finney, this time from 13-yards out, for the score. The play culminated a 10-play, 84-yard drive that amassed 3:28. Wunderlich's PAT made the score 42-24, but that was as close as MUS would get as the Eagles advanced.

Despite not reaching their third straight state-title game, MUS still had a fine season. Though they lose 19 seniors, the underclassmen have logged valuable minutes and should be ready to help the Owls pursue another state championship in 2011.

Two Owls Named Finalists For Mr. Football

Congratulations to senior LB Henry Dickinson and junior QB Toby Baker, who were named Mr. Football finalists in Division II-AA by a committee of statewide sports writers.

Dickinson -- who leads the Owls this season with 102 tackles, including 12 tackles-for-loss; 4 interceptions; 3 forced fumbles; and 2 fumble recoveries -- is one of three finalists in the lineman division. The two other finalists are Woody Baron of Brentwood Academy and Keenen Crenshaw of Ensworth.

And as a finalist in the back division, Baker has completed 60.2% of his passes, passed for 10 touchdowns, and run for 13 others as he has accumulated 1891 yards of total offense. The other finalists include Cornelius Elder of Ensworth and Jacob Huesman of Baylor.

The winners for each division will be named November 29, 2010, in Murfreesboro.

To see the official press release from the TSSAA, click here.

Baker Named Offensive Player Of The Week

Congratulations to junior quarterback Toby Baker, who was named the Commercial Appeal’s Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against Briarcrest.

In the Owls’ 45-14 victory, Baker accounted for four touchdowns as he led the team to victory.

Baker carried the ball 19 times for 146 yards, a career high for the junior, and he ran for two scores, including a 51-yard touchdown. He also had a fine evening passing as he went 19-24 for 237 yards and two touchdowns. And he continued to show why he is one of the best punters in the region as he had two punts that averaged 35 yards, but he showed his athleticism as he still got off a punt despite a high snap on his first kick.

With the victory over the Saints, the Owls earn a first-round bye in the Division II-AA playoffs. They will play the winner of the Pope John Paul II-Brentwood Academy contest next week at MUS.

To read the article in the Commercial Appeal, click here.

Owls Earn First-Round Bye

Needing to win its final regular-season contest to earn a first-round bye in the upcoming Division II-AA state playoffs, the MUS varsity football team shrugged off a sluggish start and ultimately cruised to a 45-14 victory over Briarcrest, finishing the regular season at 7-3, 2-1.

Quarterback Toby Baker had his best rushing game of his career as he tallied 146 yards on 19 carries, and he also threw for 237 yards on 19-24 passing. Altogether, Baker accounted for four touchdowns (2 rushing, 2 passing) as the Owls’ fast attack kept the Saints off-balance much of the evening.

But the Owls needed several series to get its offense going.

MUS scored once in the first quarter after having stopped Briarcrest on its second possession and taken over at its own 7-yard line. After seven plays, the Owls found themselves at the Owl 49-yard line. From there, Baker kept an option run, sprinted through several potential tacklers, and raced into the endzone for the 51-yard score. Gary Wunderlich’s PAT gave the hosts the 7-0 lead with 4:30 left in the first quarter.

But Briarcrest (8-2, 1-2) answered quickly as on its next possession, QB B.J. Nagle found versatile WR Tray Becton-Martin across the middle from 35-yards out for the tying touchdown. With the Austin Benoy extra-point, BCS had tied the score just 58 seconds later.

Yet after the Saints’ score, both offenses began to stagnate. Briarcrest struggled to move the football, particularly on the ground, as the Owls’ front did well plugging running gaps. And the MUS offense had opportunities, but an inteception and fumble kept the Owls from regaining their offensive momentum created by their early touchdown.

However, late in the half, the hosts finally began to execute well and take advantage of good field position.

First, despite stalling at the BCS 13-yard line, Wunderlich added his third field goal of the season as he connected from 30-yards out to give MUS a 10-7 lead with 1:26 left in the half.

And the Owls got one more score before intermission as, after the defense had recovered a fumble at the Saints 39-yard line with 32 seconds left, Baker found Landon Finney from 32-yards out on 3rd-and-4 for the touchdown. Wunderlich’s PAT gave the hosts the 17-7 lead at the break.

In the second half, MUS seemed to control the contest and built a comfortable lead. In the third quarter, Baker added his second rushing touchdown, this time from 3-yards out, and Finney caught his second scoring pass from Baker, this one from 18-yards out, as the Owls built a 31-7 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

And in the final period, MUS added two more scores. First, Forrest Baty ended a 3-play, 73-yard drive with a 4-yard run with 11:33 left in the game. Then Fernando Van Hook, who had earlier hauled in a 72-yard pass, had an electrifying run as he went 88 yards for a touchdown. The run was the fifth longest run in school history.

BCS did add one final score as Nagle snuck in from 1-yard out midway through the fourth quarter, but MUS had the game in control at this point, allowing many reserves to play.

With the win, the Owls earned the 2-seed in the West Division, giving them a first-round bye next week. In two weeks, MUS will play a home game against the winner of the Pope John Paul II-Brentwood Academy first-round game. Kickoff for the November 12 contest is set for 7:00 pm.