After their six-turnover performance in their first game of the 2011 season, the MUS varsity football team was determined to value the ball and focus on execution in game two. By rushing for almost 300 yards and not turning the ball over, the Owls accomplished that goal as they defeated Kingsbury, 49-0, this past Friday night.
Junior RB Fernando Van Hook accounted for 123 rushing yards and two touchdowns, all in the first half. He also hauled in a 16-yard touchdown reception early in the third quarter from QB Toby Baker to give the Owls a commanding 35-0 lead.
Van Hook’s backfield mate, junior Shane Tucker, also had an outstanding game as he rushed for 94 first-half yards and scored once on just 12 carries.
MUS (1-1) amassed 210 rushing yards in the first half as they relied on one of the team’s strengths, the offensive line, which played much better this week and opened up big holes in the large Kingsbury front.
The Owls scored on their first three possessions of the game to open up a dominant lead by the early second quarter as the offense leaned on its rushing attack. But equally impressive was the MUS defense, which gave up only 48 net yards and 3 first downs in the first half. The Owl defensive line frequently beat the Falcon offensive line and created many problems for Kingsbury QB Mitch White, who completed only 7-14 passes for 48 yards in the game. He was hurried much of the night and sacked twice.
Leading 21-0 in the second quarter, sophomore RB Anthony Walton scored his first career touchdown as he hauled in a 7-yard pass from Baker to culminate the 5-play, 58-yard drive right before half as the Owls led, 28-0, at the break.
Then, after Van Hook’s touchdown catch on the first possession of the third quarter, Owl reserves saw action the rest of the game and played well.
Junior Jordan Rodgers made the most of his series as he found senior Carlton McCord for a 16-yard scoring toss just 1:27 after Van Hook’s touchdown reception as the Owls took advantage of a Falcon turnover on the kickoff. Gary Wunderlich, who set a new school record on the team’s third touchdown by connecting on his 49th consecutive extra-point, continued to be perfect as he tacked on the PAT to increase the lead to 42-0.
And then just one possession later, sophomore QB Blake Bennett also scored his first career touchdown as he went in from 4 yards out to complete a 2-play, 41-yard drive, as both plays were Bennett runs. Wunderlich ended the scoring at 49-0 with his extra-point.
MUS played well in all aspects of the game. Offensively, the hosts did just about anything they wanted, particularly on the ground as each back that carried the ball found room to run. Defensively, MUS was simply dominant as Kingsbury (0-2) did not gain a first down in the second half despite keeping their starters in the entire game as they crossed midfield only once. And the Owl special teams forced a turnover, were perfect on conversion attempts, and kept the Falcons pinned deep in their own territory much of the game.
Next week, MUS travels to Batesville, Mississippi, to take on South Panola in the Owls’ first road game of the year. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm against the Tigers.
