Just as they had done to MUS in the first game of the 2011 season, the Ensworth Tigers took advantage of turnovers and broke several big plays as they advanced to the December 1 Blue Cross Bowl with a 28-0 win last Friday night over the host Owls. With the loss, MUS ends their campaign at 8-4.
In the opening contest of the 2011 year, Ensworth jumped out to a 21-0 first-quarter lead as they ultimately forced six turnovers in route to the 28-14 win. However, in this game, MUS was determined to get off to a good start, and they did have the early momentum. The Owls entered Tiger territory four times in the first half as they were winning the field-position battle early.
Unfortunately, MUS could not take advantage of the good field position with scores as they failed to take an early lead. Their best chance came early in the second quarter as they threatened. After having forced an Ensworth punt and having taken over at the MUS 41-yard line, Owl coaches did something they had not done all year: they lined Fernando Van Hook up at quarterback and ran him in the Wildcat formation, and they found success. Behind four consecutive Van Hook carries, MUS faced a 2nd-and-goal at the Ensworth 1-yard line. However, Van Hook fumbled at the goal line on his fifth run, and Ensworth’s recovery squelched that opportunity.
But as they had done much of the year, the MUS defense held the opposition as they kept Ensworth pinned back in their territory and continued to give the offense opportunties. Yet the offense could not take advantage of the good field position. Several missed chances, including not connecting on a 48-yard field-goal attempt by Gary Wunderlich, kept the game scoreless throughout much of the second quarter.
In fact, the defense played so well that Ensworth could do very little. Tiger star runningback Corn Elder was held in check for much of the first half as he totaled only 25 yards on 8 carries. Yet the Owls could not keep him stymied. On the last drive of the half, Elder broke two runs, the first a 13-yard scamper and the second an 81-yard scoring run as he evaded Owl defenders for the touchdown. In mere seconds, Elder had 119 rushing yards and gave his team the 7-0 halftime advantage.
The Tigers made that lead stand as they forced three second-half interceptions and continued to gain yards on the ground. Elder added two more scoring runs, 26 yards and 89 yards, and Rico Watson returned a Toby Baker interception 92 yards for a score, as the Tigers built a commanding 28-0 lead early in the fourth quarter. The Owls continued to play hard and moved the ball effectively at times, but they hurt themselves with turnovers to prevent any comeback.
The missed opportunities in the first half and the three big scoring plays for Ensworth were the difference in the game. Without Elder’s two long scoring runs, the Tigers gained only 201 yards of total offense and were held to 0-for-8 on third-down conversions. Yet Ensworth (11-1) made the most of their few opportunties as they advance to their second consecutive state-title game.
Though the program will miss its twenty-one seniors, Owl coaches are excited about the underclassmen and the opportunities they will have next season.
