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.
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