Behind a stifling defense that allowed only 163 total yards and a rushing attack that netted almost 200 yards, including 142 in the first half, the MUS varsity football team bounced back from last-week’s loss to South Panola with a businesslike 38-0 victory over a talented Central squad.
The Owls scored on their first four drives of the game as they established themselves early on the ground. The offensive line did a good job opening holes, and the starting backs, Fernando Van Hook and Shane Tucker, took advantage. Each scored in the first quarter as they ran hard inside and consistently got to the Central secondary.
Van Hook scored the team’s first touchdown on the opening possession as he went in from 5-yards out to culminate the 14-play, 62-yard drive that took up 6:10. Gary Wunderlich extended his school record for consecutive PAT’s with the extra point to give the Owls the 7-0 lead. On the drive, Van Hook had nine carries and even caught a pass for positive yardage.
Tucker scored his touchdown just 2:48 later. Following a short Central punt, Tucker broke off a 24-yard run to get the MUS close, and from the 4-yard line, he went into the endzone for the score. Wunderlich’s PAT doubled the Owls’ lead to 14-0 with 3:02 left in the first quarter.
On the ensuing Warrior possession, Central moved the ball and threatened to score following several Sammy Martin completions. They got as far as the MUS 10-yard line, but the Owls held on 4th-and-goal, and ultimately they were never threatened again defensively.
On the team’s next possession, sophomore Anthony Walton scored his second touchdown of the season as he had a 50-yard burst to complete the 6-play, 95-yard drive. Wunderlich again added the PAT.
And Van Hook completed the scoring in the half as he scored on a 1-yard run on the next drive as the Owls had complete control of the contest at the break.
In the second half, the MUS offense struggled early, but the defense never let Central get back into the game. The Owls mustered only 1 yard in the third quarter, but the solid defensive effort kept Central backed up and gave the offense short fields to work with. Wunderlich contributed the only points of the quarter as he connected on a 46-yard field goal, his first make in two opportunities this season.
The Owls finally broke the 35-point barrier and forced a running-clock situation when Lucas Crenshaw intercepted a Rod Richmond pass midway through the fourth quarter and took it back 34 yards for the touchdown. It was the sophomore’s first varsity interception, and the return ended the scoring at 38-0.
With the win, MUS improves to 2-2, while Central falls to 1-3.
Next week, the Owls make their second trip to Mississippi as they take on Olive Branch. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm against the Conquistadors.
