Coming off their Fall Break vacation last week, the MUS varsity football players and coaches were hoping to avoid a letdown as they had been playing at a high level, particularly in the final two games before the off week. In wins over East and CBHS, the Owls ran the football effectively and played smothering defense to win both games in dominating fashion.
The MUS coaching staff knew that last Friday-night’s opponent, St. Benedict, would present several problems for the Owls, and if the Owls did not play well, the Eagles, who were tied for first in the division, could beat MUS.
Fortunately for the Owls, the coaches’ message got through to the players, and they performed just as they had the previous two games, with a strong rushing attack and a stingy defense. In fact, the ground game opened up the passing attack, and the MUS offense was as balanced as it had been all season. The efficient, balanced offense and a defense that allowed only 162 total yards helped the Owls take a convincing 35-0 victory at St. Benedict to take over sole possession of first place in the division and secure the West’s top seed in the upcoming playoffs.
QB Toby Baker threw two touchdown passes and ran for another as MUS kept the Eagle defense off balance much of the evening. Baker’s scoring run, a 1-yard sneak on the team’s second possession, gave the visitors an early 7-0 lead with 4:31 remaining in the first quarter. The sneak followed Baker’s 39-yard pass to Devin Perry, who finished the game with five receptions for 95 yards.
Baker followed up his scoring sneak with a 18-yard touchdown pass to Perry just 1:03 before halftime. That toss culminated a 9-play, 87-yard drive that took up 4:33 and gave the Owls the 14-0 lead at the break.
Though the contest was still close at the half, the coaching staff had to feel confident because despite two turnovers, MUS had moved the ball, amassing 235 net yards, and had held the leading back in the conference, Jordan Wilkins, to only 43 rushing yards.
The Owls took control of the game in the third quarter as they scored touchdowns on their first two possessions. Fernando Van Hook scored his ninth rushing touchdown of the season as he went in from 12-yards out to complete a 7-play, 65-yard drive that took up 2:07. Then just over four minutes later, Baker found Carlton McCord for a 30-yard passing play as the MUS offense moved 86 yards in only 4 plays. Gary Wunderlich’s continued to be perfect on extra points as his kick gave the visitors the 28-point lead.
The Owls added one final touchdown early in the fourth quarter as Shane Tucker, who finished with 143 yards on only 12 carries, went in from 1-yard out to increase the lead to 35 and force a running-clock situation the remainder of the game.
Even though MUS continued to play well offensively and finish drives with touchdowns, the defense is dominant right now as they have allowed only three points in their last three games. Owl defenders held Wilkins, averaging over 200 yards rushing coming into the game, to only 97 on 22 carries, and QB Nick Paige finished only 7-28 for 60 yards.
The win improves MUS to 5-3, 2-0 in the division and earns the Owls a first-round bye in the upcoming playoffs. They will play winner of the Mideast 4-seed/Mideast 6-seed contest in the quarterfinals, to be held at MUS November 11.
Next week, MUS concludes its home season with a non-conference game against White Station. Kickoff is set for 7:00 pm at Stokes Stadium.
