Heading into its Division II-AA quarterfinal playoff matchup against McCallie, the MUS varsity football team and coaching staff knew that their opponent was no ordinary sixth seed. Despite its record (5-5), the Blue Tornado had been very competitive throughout the year and was playing its best football now, particularly after having upended fourth-seeded Battle Ground Academy in the first round of the playoffs the previous week.
And for much of the first half of last Friday-night’s game, the visitors were outplaying the Owls as they were controlling the line of scrimmage and moving the ball against the normally-staunch MUS defense.
Following a turnover deep in MUS territory inside of four minutes left in the half with the score tied at 7, the Owls knew that someone had to make a play to prevent McCallie from continuing to gain momentum. Facing 2nd-and-goal at the MUS 1-yard line, the Owl defense accepted the challenge as Heath Wilder forced a fumble from McCallie QB Trent Lusk, and James Prather’s recovery and subsequent run helped the Owls regain control, and they never looked back as they took the 38-21 victory.
MUS scored first as Fernando Van Hook evaded defenders and raced 56 yards on the Owls’ second offensive play to give the hosts the early 7-0 lead with 9:42 remaining in the first quarter.
But McCallie answered as Lusk went in from 2 yards to complete an impressive 17-play, 75-yard drive that amassed 6:36. Arturo Rocha’s PAT tied the score at 7 heading into the second quarter.
After the teams traded a series of four punts, McCallie made the first big play of the game as Hayden Cronan forced a fumble from Carlton McCord at the MUS 9-yard line, and he recovered it at the 6-yard line.
But then at the MUS 1, Wilder and his teammates took the ball back, and Prather’s 51-yard return allowed the Owls to retake momentum, and from there, they controlled the game.
MUS scored just four plays after the Prather recovery as Shane Tucker went in from 5-yards out to complete the 47-yard drive that took only 54 seconds. Gary Wunderlich’s extra point made the score 14-7.
The Owls continued to find offensive success in the second half as they scored on their first three second-half possession to assume control. First, Wunderlich tacked on a 31-yard field goal after a 12-play drive stalled at the McCallie 14-yard line.
Then, just four minutes later, MUS struck quickly as QB Toby Baker found Devin Perry, and the speedy sophomore raced down the visitor’s sideline for the 79-yard score. Perry finished the evening with 135 yards on 7 receptions as his outstanding second half of the season continues.
And then Tucker added his second touchdown of the night as he initially bobbled the pass but ultimately hauled it in from Baker from 30-yards out for the touchdown to culminate the 7-play, 71-yard drive that took up 2:37. With Wunderlich’s extra point, the Owls were up, 31-7, early in the fourth quarter.
But much to McCallie’s credit, they did not quit as they put together two fourth-quarter scoring drives to keep the game respectable. Lusk found WR Sam Berry for both touchdowns, one from 20-yards out with 5:38 remaining in the game, and one from 15-yards out with 1:04 left in the game. Yet sandwiched between those scores was a Van Hook 4-yard run as the junior broke free for his sixteenth touchdown of the season that kept the Blue Tornado well out of reach.
Despite a slow start, the Owls ultimately found offensive success by being balanced. They amassed 483 total yards, including 255 yards rushing and 228 passing. McCallie did move the ball as they gained 21 first downs and over 350 yards of total offense, but they struggled to score until late in the game when the game had been decided.
The 38-21 victory advances the Owls into the semifinals, where they will meet Ensworth at home next Friday night. The Tigers and Owls opened the 2011 season as Ensworth defeated MUS at Stokes Stadium, 28-14. The Tigers forced six turnovers in that contest as they jumped out to the 28-0 lead, and withstood a late Owl rally. Kickoff is set for 7:00 pm this Friday night.
