MUS Sports News

Owls Fall To Ensworth In BlueCross Bowl

Coming into last Thursday-night’s BlueCross Bowl contest against familiar foe Ensworth, the MUS varsity football team had several objectives that it knew it would have to accomplish to bring the trophy home to Memphis. First, they would have to slow down two-time Mr. Football winner Corn Elder, who had been averaging just under 210 rushing years against MUS and had tallied 9 touchdowns in three games. They must also win the turnover battle against the Tigers, and they must convert possessions into touchdowns, not settling for field goals. Unfortunately, though the Owls played hard and well, they did not adequately accomplish those objectives, and Ensworth prevailed, claiming their third consecutive Division II-AA state title with a 31-14 victory in Cookeville at Tennessee Tech University.

MUS (10-3) got off to a great start in the school’s eighth championship-game appearance. After the teams had exchanged punts on initial possessions, the Owls took over at the Tiger 43-yard line following a 17-yard Matt Bolton punt return. MUS found success running the ball, and on the eighth play of the drive, Shane Tucker flew over the goalline on 3rd-and-goal from the 1-yard line for the touchdown. Gary Wunderlich missed the extra point, but the Owls grabbed the early 6-0 lead with 5:01 left in the first quarter.

However, Ensworth (13-0) would score the next 17 points to take control. First, on the ensuing drive, Elder began to establish himself as he found holes created by an offensive line that averages over 280 pounds.  Facing 1st-and-goal at the MUS 3-yard line, Elder swept into the endzone for the touchdown to complete the 10-play, 80-yard drive that amassed 4:07. Jake Estes’ PAT gave the Tigers the 7-6 lead with 54 seconds left in the first quarter.

After Gary Wunderlich’s 53-yard field-goal attempt hit the crossbar and came up just short on the Owls’ next possession, Ensworth took advantage as Elder again found running room. Carrying the ball on seven of nine plays, the 5’10’’, 165-pound back got the Tigers close. However, Peyton Klawinski’s stop on 3rd down forced a field-goal attempt, and Estes connected from 25-yards out, increasing the lead to 10-6 with 6:24 left in the half.

The Tigers scored added a second touchdown on their next possession as Elder scored from 50 yards out to complete a 6-play, 86-yard drive, giving them a 17-6 lead with 2:37 left in the half.

But the Owls did not quit as they sought to get back into the game before the half. Starting at their own 35-yard line, MUS used the clock effectively and progressed methodically down the field. The two big plays on the drive were a defensive pass-interference call and a 17-yard catch from Jordan Rodgers to Devin Perry to get close. But with just 6 seconds left in the half, Owl coaches decided to try just one more play before a field-goal attempt. From the EHS 16-yard line, Rodgers threw a back-shoulder pass to Will Whitley, who hauled in the reception for the touchdown with just one second left in the half. MUS went for two, and Rodgers found Tucker, who leapt into the endzone for the conversion to bring the halftime score to 17-14. With some momentum, the Owls felt good about where they were going into the break.

But just as they had done in the previous contests with MUS, Ensworth began the second half by making big plays to regain control. Just five plays into the half, Elder broke free again and raced 40 yards for the touchdown to increase the lead to 24-14 just 2 minutes into the third quarter.

And the Ensworth defense also began to stiffen. They allowed only 39 yards to the Owls in the third quarter as they stopped the MUS running game and put an immense amount of pressure on Rodgers. Fortunately, the MUS defense also slowed the Tigers some, keeping the score at 24-14 going into the fourth quarter.

But the Ensworth ground game was just too much to allow MUS back into the game. They controlled the clock in the second half and allowed very few possessions to the Owls. The last chance for MUS came midway through the fourth quarter as they took over at the Ensworth 20-yard line. After an initial first down, Rodgers threw three consecutive incompletions as he was under duress. Facing a 4th-and-10, MUS tried a fake punt, but Blake Bennett’s pass fell incomplete, giving Ensworth the ball at the Owl 30-yard line.

They added one final touchdown on their next drive as Elder rushed 6 straight plays to get to the MUS 5-yard line, and then from there, D’Andre Ferby scored to increase the lead to 17 at 31-14, the eventual final score.

For the game, Elder, the offensive Most Valuable Player, rushed 33 times for 222 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Owls’ Mr. Football Finalist, Jordan Rodgers, also played well, completing 20-37 passes for 152 yards and one touchdown. But Ensworth did a nice job pressuring Rodgers and preventing any deep passes that the Owls often look to. MUS was led by defensive Most Valuable Player , Matt Bolton, who, along with his teammates, played hard throughout. However, Ensworth was just too much on this night.

Owls Win Shootout, Advance To Cookeville

Improbable, unbelievable, unprecedented – these are just a few of the adjectives that one might use in describing the MUS varsity football team’s comeback victory over Brentwood Academy in the semifinals of the Division II-AA state playoffs last Friday night.  However, maybe the best description of the events of the evening is just simply amazing.

Junior kicker Gary Wunderlich’s 38-yard field goal with 26 seconds remaining in the game gave the host Owls their first lead of the contest as MUS came back from a 23-point second-quarter deficit to upend perennial power Brentwood Academy, 46-45, and advance to the BlueCross Bowl, the Division II-AA state championship game.

But even having a chance at victory seemed far-fetched after how the Owls had started the game.

After the teams had traded punts on their respective first drives, MUS started their second possession on the BA 15-yard line. But a low snap on first down ended up going through the back of the endzone as the Eagles took an early 2-0 lead with the safety.  That fumble served as an omen of what was to come for the hosts.

Then, on the ensuing kickoff, Eagle returner C.J. Sanders showed why he is one of the best in the state as he brought the kick back 80 yards, only to be tackled by MaLeik Gatewood at the MUS 8-yard line. BA needed only one play to score as D’Montre Wade scampered into the endzone, and Ben Boatwright’s PAT gave the visitors the 9-0 lead with 7:55 left in the first quarter.

MUS attempted to quell the BA momentum on their next drive, and they were succeeding until back Shane Tucker was stripped of the ball at the Eagle 15-yard line. BA’s Conner Johnson recovered, ending the threat.

The fumbling woes continued on the next MUS possession as, after a nice run, Tucker was stripped again, the second fumble of the drive, and Brentwood Academy recovered, giving the Eagles possession near midfield. This time, the visitors took advantage of the third turnover as on the sixth play of the drive, quarterback Max Staver found tight end Derek Barnett from 25 yards out for the touchdown, giving BA the 16-0 lead with 56 seconds remaining in the first quarter and quieting the MUS faithful, at least temporarily.

Even with the turnovers, the Owl offense was moving the ball each possession, but they just could not take care of the football.  After the second BA touchdown, MUS again moved the ball from the MUS 41 into Eagle territory, but when quarterback Jordan Rodgers was sacked by Amos Mason at the Eagle 41-yard line, he fumbled, and Cameron Currin’s recovery ended another threat. That fumble was the Owls’ sixth of the game, losing three and having one go through the endzone.

The defense did its part after the turnover, forcing a Brentwood Academy punt and giving MUS possession at the Owl 3-yard line. But just one play later, Rodgers’ handoff to Tucker went awry, and BA recovered at the MUS 1-yard line, the seventh MUS fumble. Four plays later, the Eagles tacked on another touchdown as Wade went in from 1-yard out. Boatwright increased the lead to 23-0 with 6:57 left in the first half.

But following that seventh fumble, MUS finally caught a break. Putting together another nice drive, the Owls moved the ball. The key play of the possession was Rodgers 27-yard pass to sophomore Colton Neel, who was stripped at the BA 5-yard line. Fortunately, Neel came up with the football on the 2-yard line, allowing the drive to continue. Following a five-yard false-start penalty, Rodgers scored on the next play as he scrambled in from 7-yards out for the touchdown. Wunderlich’s PAT closed the gap to 23-7 with 4:40 left in the half.

The Owls added another score right before halftime as the special teams contributed. The defense having forced fourth down and a punt, senior Peyton Klawinski took advantage as he raced through the line and blocked the kick. His recovery on the Eagle 2-yard line gave the Owls excellent field position. Tucker then scored on the next play on a 2-yard dive, and Rodgers found Tucker on a pass for the two-point coversion as MUS closed the advantage to 23-15 as the teams went into halftime. Remarkably, despite the eight fumbles and one muffed kick, the hosts were still in the game, down by only one score.

But all of the momentum created at the end of the second quarter was squelched with the second-half kickoff as Sanders found a seam and took the kick 99 ½ yards for the touchdown. Two offsides penalties on the extra point allowed BA to go for two since they were inside the 1-yard line, and Wade fought into the endzone for the conversion as the Eagles regained control, 31-15.

Yet MUS answered again. Using seven plays, Rodgers led the Owls down the field, and his 2-yard keeper capped off the 80-yard drive that took 1:43. And on the PAT, he found Chris Evans, who hauled in the two-point pass as MUS got back within eight points, 31-23, with 10:09 left in the third quarter.

The Brentwood Academy offense showed why it is one of the most potent and versatile in the state on its next possession as Florida commitment Staver drove his team down the field. His completions of 20, 9, and 30 yards got the Eagles close, and then his 3-yard keeper on a zone-read option play increased the lead again to 15 at 38-23 with 7:30 left in the third quarter.

After the teams had traded punts, a Matt Bolton 10-yard punt return gave the hosts good field position at the BA 27-yard line. Rodgers needed only one play as he found Devin Perry, who eluded tacklers to go into the endzone for the 27-yard touchdown. Wunderlich tacked on the extra point as the deficit was trimmed again to eight at 38-30.

But just as the Owls thought they were back in the game, Brentwood Academy kept the pressure on by scoring. On the 8th play of their ensuing drive, Staver found Barnett over the middle, and the 260-pound tight end dragged tacklers into the endzone for the 48-yard touchdown. The extra point made the score 45-30 as the game went to the fourth quarter.

MUS scored on the first play of the fourth quarter as Rodgers hit Perry in the back corner of the endzone from 32-yards out for another touchdown, Perry’s second of the game. The score followed a short kickoff, a Neel 22-yard return, and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on BA that gave the Owls possession at the BA 32-yard line. Wunderlich’s PAT cut the lead again to eight points at 45-37.

Brentwood Academy looked poised to answer again, but facing 3rd and 15 at the MUS 31-yard line, James Prather and Will Morrison sacked Staver, forcing a BA punt. The punt went out of bounds at the MUS 5-yard line, setting up the play of the game.

Following a mishandled snap and recovery on the first play of the drive, the Owls’ ninth fumble of the game, Rodgers dropped back on the second play, saw Perry with single-coverage, and made a perfect pass that hit the junior receiver in stride. Once he caught the pass near the BA 35-yard line, Perry did the rest as he outran Eagle pursuers and sprinted into the endzone. The 96-yard touchdown pass set a school record for the longest scoring pass in history, besting the 93-yard pass from Michael Park to Lee Moore against Baylor in 2006. Perry finished the contest with 7 catches for 254 yards, setting another MUS record for most yards receiving in a game, besting John David Lawhorn's 184 receiving yards he had against Father Ryan in 2003. However, on the two-point conversion attempt to tie the game, Rodgers pass went awry, keeping the score at 45-43 with 7:26 left in the game.

On the ensuing possession, Brentwood Academy was looking to move the ball methodically down the field, consume clock, and score to put the game out of reach. Their drive began well as they picked up two first downs to move near midfield, but facing 3rd and 8 at the Eagle 42, Staver’s pass fell incomplete, forcing a punt. On the punt, kicker Gus Wilson tried to field the low snap but ultimately had to kick the ball off the ground, an illegal act. The penalty forced a rekick from the BA 17-yard line, and Wilson’s punt went out of bounds at the Eagle 43-yard line with 3:19 left in the game, setting up the final drive.

After a 4-yard loss on first down, Rodgers found Perry for 18-yards to get within Wunderlich field-goal range at the 29-yard line. From there, the Owls picked up 8 more yards and ran the clock down to 31 seconds. Facing 4th down at the BA 21-yard line, Wunderlich trotted out for his attempt. Everyone on the field-goal team did his job as Tal Keel’s snap was perfect, Renn Eason’s hold was perfect, the line blocked, and Wunderlich’s kick was true, giving MUS the 46-45 lead with 26 seconds left in the game and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

The Owl defense held the final two plays, and MUS advanced to the title game, defeating BA for the ninth time in their rivalry. MUS improves to 10-2, while BA ends its year at 9-3.

Overall, MUS fumbled 10 times and had two muffed kicks, losing four of those fumbles, compared to BA, which did not have a turnover. But MUS outgained the Eagles, 438-334, as Rodgers threw for 409 yards and 3 touchdowns.  And though the Owl defense was on the field for 60 plays and almost 29 minutes, they got defensive stands when they needed to, particularly on the last drive.

The Owls travel to Cookeville and Tennessee Tech University for the BlueCross Bowl where they will face two-time defending state champion Ensworth. The Tigers (12-0) -- winners over the Owls in the first game of the year in Nashville, 35-28 – defeated MBA in their semifinal matchup, 35-7, to advance. Kickoff in Cookeville on November 29 is set for 7:00 pm. The game will be broadcast locally on the Owls’ flagship station, WMC 790AM.

Owls Survive, Move Into Semifinals

Survive and advance – that is any team’s motto once the playoffs start, and that is exactly what the MUS varsity football team did last Friday night as it outlasted a quality Baylor squad in the quarterfinals of the playoffs, 20-14, at Stokes Stadium.

The Owls used a balanced attack offensively and a defense that held Baylor to its lowest point total of the year to grab an early lead and hold on for the victory.

Kicker Gary Wunderlich started the scoring as he connected on a 26-yard field goal on the Owls’ opening possession to complete an 11-play, 72-yard drive that amassed 4:35.  MUS had moved to the Baylor 8-yard line before Baylor’s Derek Green stymied back Shane Tucker for no gain on third down, forcing the field-goal attempt.

Baylor grabbed its first and only lead of the game early in the second quarter following a missed Wunderlich 52-yard attempt that had enough distance but just sailed wide. The Red Raiders had struggled to move the ball in their first two drives, but they finally broke loose on this drive as quarterback Michael O’Connor took advantage of the aggressive MUS defensive front and hit back Houston Clement on a short screen pass that ultimately went 70 yards. From there, the Red Raiders picked up the final 15 yards on 6 plays, culminated by George Porter’s 2-yard touchdown run on third down. Rafael Gaglianone added the extra point to give the visitors the 7-3 lead with 7:44 left in the first half.

The Baylor defense continued to stymie the Owl offense for much of the second quarter, but just before the half, MUS finally got untracked. The possession began with a pass-interference penalty that gave the Owls the ball at the Baylor 32-yard line. From there, quarterback Jordan Rodgers completed two long passes, one to Jack Gray and one to Colton Neel, to get to the 10-yard line. Then just three plays later, Rodgers scrambled and ultimately found Will Whitley in the back of the endzone for a 4-yard scoring toss. Wunderlich’s PAT made the score 10-7, and that remained the score at the break.

In the third quarter, both teams had early scoring opportunities. Baylor began a nice drive to open the half but ultimately was stopped. Gaglianone’s 54-yard field-goal attempt was short, giving the ball back to Owls. And MUS took advantage. Using 8 passes and 4 runs, the hosts advanced up the field to get into Baylor territory. And on the 12th play of the drive, Rodgers, who seemed to be throwing the ball away, somehow found Devin Perry, who hauled in the pass and scored from 3-yards out for the touchdown. Wunderlich connected to increase the lead to 17-7 with 5:24 left in the third quarter.

The Red Raiders again responded with a nice drive as they used 16 plays to get deep into Owl territory, but once again, the MUS defenders held to force a field-goal attempt. This time, Gaglianone’s 39-yard attempt was blocked by Lucas Crenshaw as the Owls maintained their 10-point advantage.

Wunderlich increased the lead to 20-7 with 5:59 left in the game as he connected on a 40-yard field goal to end a 7-play, 57-yard drive.

But Baylor was not finished. On their ensuing possession, they moved 74 yards in only 2:46 to score as O’Connor found Chandler Gouger from 15-yards out for the score. The extra point cut the advantage to 20-14 with 3:07 left, but the visitors could get no closer as the MUS defense stopped a last-minute drive, preserving the win.

 

Statistically, Tucker finished the game with 176 yards rushing on 23 carries. He also added 2 catches for 19 yards, and he recorded two tackles, including the game's final tackle on fourth down. Other than Tucker's total, the game was fairly even as MUS had only two more first downs (19-17), ran three fewer plays (65-62), and outgained the Red Raiders by only 68 yards. The difference was that the Owls connected on their field-goal attempts, and Baylor did not. With the win, MUS improves to 9-2, and Baylor’s season ends at 8-4.

Next Friday night, the Owls move into the semifinals to face rival Brentwood Academy, a 44-17 winner over Briarcrest in their quarterfinal game. Kickoff is set for 7:00pm next Friday night at Stokes Stadium.

Owls Claim Division Championship

MUS senior quarterback Jordan Rodgers threw for 189 yards and three touchdowns, and the Owl defense held Briarcrest quarterback BJ Nagle to only 168 passing yards as the host Owls ended the regular season with a 42-24 win over the Saints last Friday night at Stokes Stadium. With the win, MUS captures the Division II-AA Western Division championship, a first-round bye in the upcoming playoffs, and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

The hosts took the early 7-0 lead following a bad punt snap on Briarcrest’s first possession. Taking over at the BCS 22-yard line, MUS used only two plays, both Shane Tucker 11-yard runs, to score. Gary Wunderlich’s PAT gave MUS the early lead.

Briarcrest tied the game on the following possession as Nagle completed an 11-play, 80-yard drive with a 5-yard keeper. Thomas Farst’s extra point knotted the game at 7 with 2:42 left in the first quarter.

But MUS retook the lead for good two possessions later as the Owls began to exert control. Rodgers threw his 27th touchdown pass of the season early in the second quarter as he found Will Whitley for a 70-yard scoring toss to complete an 3-play, 80-yard drive. This scoring toss set a school record for most touchdown passes in a season, breaking Marc MacMillan’s 1991 record.

And Tucker added his second touchdown of the game late in the second half as he scored on a 1-yard dive to complete a 10-play, 61-yard scoring drive that amassed 4:11. Wunderlich’s kick increased the advantage to 21-7 at the break.

In the second half, Briarcrest got to 21-10 with 3:52 left in the third quarter as Farst connected on a 38-yard field goal, kicking into a brisk north wind. But the Owls ended all Saint hope as they answered with three touchdowns on their next three drives to take a commanding 42-10 lead. Tucker added his third rushing touchdown of the game with a 6-yard run late in the third quarter, and then Rodgers threw two more touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, finding Whitley with a 5-yard score and then Jarrett Jackson from 9-yards out, to put the game out of reach.

From this point, many Owl reserves saw playing time, and the Briarcrest offensive starters moved the ball in the final six minutes of the game. They added two late touchdowns to close the gap, but ultimately the MUS offense ran out the clock to preserve the win.

With the victory, MUS finished the regular season at 8-2, 3-0, while Briarcrest falls to 7-3, 1-2.

With the top seed in the West, the Owls will be off next week and will face the Battle Ground Academy-Baylor winner in two weeks at Stokes Stadium. Kickoff will be at 7:00 pm Friday, November 9.

Owls Take Down Spartans In Shootout

In its final nonconference game of the season, the MUS varsity football team relied on its running game to control the time of possession and keep the potent White Station offense off the field as the Owls outlasted the Spartans, 41-28, last Friday night at Stokes Stadium.

MUS tallied 245 rushing yards on the evening, led by Shane Tucker’s 166 yards on 26 carries, his highest rushing output of the season, and two touchdowns. Short-yardage quarterback Colton Neel also had a fine evening, rushing 7 times for 62 yards and scoring two touchdowns himself. The offensive line and receivers did an excellent job much of the evening opening holes and staying on blocks as the runners took advantage, particularly once they got into the secondary.

The hosts trailed at the end of the first quarter as they saw just how explosive the Spartan offense was. After an opening 38-yard Gary Wunderlich field goal, White Station needed only one play to take the lead as QB Cedrick Wilson found Donald Gray for an 80-yard touchdown pass to give the Spartans the 6-3 lead.

MUS answered two minutes later as the Owls went 70 yards on 6 plays, the drive ending with Tucker’s 37-yard scoring burst up the middle. Wunderlich added the PAT for the 10-6 lead.

But White Station answered back as Gray tallied his second touchdown of the game, hauling in a 24-yard pass from Wilson for the score. The PAT try was no good, and the Spartans held a 12-10 lead at the end of the first quarter. For the game, Gray recorded 10 catches for 203 yards.

The Owl offense wasted little time regaining the lead, and this time, for good. MUS went 69 yards on 4 plays, all runs, as Neel scampered around the left end for a 48-yard touchdown. Wunderlich’s extra point gave MUS the 17-12 lead, an advantage they would keep going into the half.

In the second half, MUS scored 17 consecutive points to take a commanding lead. First, quarterback Jordan Rodgers found Will Whitley from 16-yards out for a touchdown as the Owls took advantage of Matt Bolton’s 40-yard punt return to give the home team good field position. Then, after another Bolton punt return, Neel added his second touchdown of the game, going in from 7-yards out to increase the lead to 31-12 with 5:15 left in the third quarter. And finally, following a Spartan fumble, Wunderlich tallied his second field goal of the game, connecting from 35-yards out, to give the Owls the 34-12 lead with 3:57 left in the third quarter.

Though the lead looked insurmountable, the team knew that as potent as the White Station offense is, the Spartans still had enough time to come back. They began just 1:57 after the Wunderlich field goal as QB Jerry Thompson scored on a 1-yard keeper. The two-point conversion cut the lead to 34-20 late in the third quarter. But the Owl defense stymied White Station on their next two possessions as Pete Abston forced a fumble and Bolton added an interception to keep the Spartans at bay.

MUS added one final touchdown as Tucker rumbled into the endzone from 15-yards out to complete the 3-play, 27-yard drive. Wunderlich’s PAT increased the lead to 41-20 with 4:31 left in the game. White Station added one final touchdown just 53 seconds later as Anthony Young scored on a 1-yard run, and their two-point conversion cut the lead to 41-28, but they could get no closer as the Owl offense ran out the clock.

In the win, Jordan Rodgers set two school records. His 10 completions give him 153 for the season, besting Marc MacMillan’s record of 150 set in 1990. Also, his touchdown pass to Whitley gives his 26 on the year, tying MacMillan’s 1991 mark.

And though the defense gave up 401 passing yards, they held White Station to -12 yards rushing and forced four turnovers, giving the offense additional opportunities to control the ball. MUS had a 30:28 to 17:32 advantage in time of possession as they ultimately wore down the talented Spartan defense.

With the win, MUS improves to 7-2, and White Station falls to 3-6.

Next week, the Owls conclude the regular season with a home game against Briarcrest. The game will be for the division title. With a win, the Owls will claim the division for themselves and guarantee home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. With a loss, Briarcrest, Christian Brothers, and MUS will all share the top spot, and the Owls will have the 3-seed. Kickoff against the Saints is set for 7:00 pm at Stokes Stadium.

Owls Shut Down Eagles

After having returned from Fall Break, the MUS varsity football team hoped it could avoid a letdown as it entered a final stretch of three regular-season games in preparation for the playoffs.

Last Friday night, it got its answer.

The Owls scored on the ground, through the air, and even from its defense as it burst out to a 42-0 lead and cruised to a 42-7 victory over division foe St. Benedict.

MUS (6-2, 2-0) scored on two of its first three possessions in grabbing an early advantage. Chris Evans scored from 9-yards out to end the first drive and give the home team the 7-0 lead. Then, following a SBA turnover, Colton Neel scored on a 1-yard keeper to increase the advantage to 14 after the Gary Wunderlich extra point.

The second quarter saw quarterback Jordan Rodgers add two touchdown passes as he found Devin Perry from 11-yards out for one score and sophomore tight end Jack Gray for another touchdown, also from 11-yards away, as the Owls went into halftime up, 28-0. MUS outgained St. Benedict at the half, 234-85, and limited standout running back Jordan Wilkins to only 11 yards on 7 carries.

In the second half, the hosts quickly reached the 35-point mark to force a running clock as the Owls took advantage of another Eagle turnover. This time, Shane Tucker was the beneficiary as he rushed into the endzone from 1-yard out to give MUS the 35-0 lead with 9:37 left in the third quarter.

And the Owl defense added the final touchdown just 23 seconds later as strong safety Andrew Renshaw jumped in front of a short pass and returned the interception 17 yards for the score. Wunderlich finished his perfect night with the PAT.

St. Benedict added its touchdown early in the fourth quarter as backup quarterback Nick Gerard found Tyler Currie for a 6-yard scoring pass as the Eagles took advantage of a muffed punt deep in Owl territory. However, SBA could get no closer as they fall to 3-4, 0-2.

With the win, the Owls secure a home playoff game and at least a share of the Western Division championship. They can win the title outright in two weeks against Briarcrest. However, next Friday night MUS faces its last non-conference game of the year as White Station travels to Stokes Stadium. Kickoff between the Spartans and the Owls is set for 7:00pm.

MUS Begins 1-0 In Division Play

Behind two Jordan Rodgers-to-Devin Perry touchdown passes and a defense that held one of the best rushing attacks in the area to only 72 yards, the MUS varsity football team opened division play by defeating rival Christian Brothers, 24-14, before thousands of spectators at Tom Nix Stadium last Friday night.

Both teams struggled offensively early in the game, most likely because of the quality of both teams’ defenses. However, the Owls had good field position throughout much of the first quarter and had opportunities to score but could muster only a Gary Wunderlich 40-yard field goal with 6:26 left in the first period. MUS ran thirteen plays in Purple Wave territory during that first quarter but could not end drives with touchdowns.

Meanwhile, the CBHS offense was stymied as the MUS defense did not allow a first down and nor allow the Purple Wave to cross their own 29-yard line during the first period. However, the hosts stayed with three points as MUS missed two field-goal attempts and could not take advantage of Hall Ballinger’s 35-yard return after CBHS had blocked a punt that gave the Owls possession at the Purple Wave 30-yard line.

Following the second field-goal miss, the hosts finally sustained a drive. Using 6 plays, the Purple Wave traveled 80 yards to score as Ramadi Warren broke several tackles at the line and scored from 41-yards out. Zach Baddour’s extra point gave CBHS the 7-3 lead with 8:32 left in the half.

But the Owls answered just before the half as Colton Neel fought into the endzone for a 1-yard touchdown to complete a 4-play, 36-yard drive that began after an 18-yard punt return by Matt Bolton. Wunderlich’s PAT made the score 10-7 with 2:29 left in the second quarter, and that score remained until halftime.

Despite being up only 3 points, the Owls dominated the first half as they had 10 first downs and 234 total yards, including 148 yards passing. Meanwhile, CBHS had recorded only 4 first downs and had only 88 total yards as they had the ball only 9:31 in the first half. But they still were down only 10-7.

Though they did not move the ball nearly as effectively in the second half, the offense finally produced touchdowns to build a lead that CBHS could not overcome. MUS scored on its first two possessions of the half, both on passes from Rodgers to Perry (11 yards and 54 yards), to build a 24-7 lead with 4:48 left in the third quarter. The two scoring tosses gives Rodgers 23 touchdown passes on the season, the second most in school history, and Perry now has seven touchdown receptions on the year, placing him fifth for most scoring catches in a season.

Despite being down by 17, the Purple Wave did not quit, and they put together a scoring drive late in the third quarter. Quarterback Breck Ruddick’s 21-yard keeper culminated a 6-play, 80-yard drive that amassed 2:17 to close the gap to 24-14 with 2:39 left in the quarter. But the Brothers could not get closer as the Owl defense stopped them on their final five drives of the game.

With the win, MUS improves to 5-2, 1-0, while CBHS falls to 5-1, 0-1.

The Owls are off this week for Fall Break. They return to action October 12 in a home game against St. Benedict. Kickoff will be at 7:00 pm.

Owls Finish Strong To Win On Homecoming

After having jumped out to a 14-0 lead just seven minutes into its Homecoming contest against East, the MUS varsity football team looked to continue to pressure the Mustangs and cruise to an easy victory, much to the delight of all the alumni on campus.

However, after the initial two touchdowns, the Owl offense sputtered throughout much of the next two quarters, and late in the third period, East had closed the advantage to 14-9 and was very much in the game.

But sophomore Colton Neel sparked the offense, and his touchdown run with just 23 seconds remaining in the third quarter re-energized the offense as the Owls went on to score twice more in the fourth quarter to take the 35-9 victory over a talented East squad.

Quarterback Jordan Rodgers threw his 20th and 21st touchdown passes in the first seven minutes of the tilt, finding Neel from 6-yards out, and then Witt Hawkins for a 17-yard scoring toss, as the Owls went up early, 14-0.

But East seemed to gather themselves after the first two possessions.  For the remainder of the half, the Mustangs allowed only 57 total yards to the Owls, including just 10 rushing yards. East also began moving the ball on offense, but they could not finish drives with touchdowns. Their only points in the half came after a 17-play, 83-yard drive that had stalled. Faustino Amaro connected on a 25-yard field goal with 8:18 left in the half to close the gap to 14-3, the eventual halftime score.

The second half also began ominously for the hosts as Rodgers fumbled on the opening play of the third quarter, and East’s recovery gave them the ball at the MUS 39-yard line. Ten plays later, the Mustangs had advanced to the MUS 3-yard line, but facing a fourth down, Amaro added his second field goal, this one from 20 yards, to bring the score to 14-6.

Amaro connected on his third field goal just 4:01 later, this one from 28 yards, to complete an 8-play, 38-yard drive, that closed the advantage to 14-9 with 4:26 left in the third quarter.

But at that point, the Owl offense began moving the football as Rodgers connected on short passes, mainly to Neel. Neel caught five passes during the possession to get the ball deep into East territory, and then facing 3rd-and-3 from the Mustang 16-yard line, Neel lined up at quarterback, broke several tackles, and went into the endzone for the touchdown. Gary Wunderlich’s extra-point increased the lead to 21-9, and the Owls were never threatened again.

In the fourth quarter, MUS began moving the ball on the ground much more effectively to maintain their advantage. Senior Chris Evans was the beneficiary. He picked up 37 of his 48 rushing yards in the fourth quarter. More importantly, however, was that he added two touchdowns, going in from 6 yards and 2 yards, to complete the scoring.

With the win, the Owls improve to 4-2, and East falls to 3-3.

Next week, MUS opens division play as they travel to Christian Brothers. Kickoff is set for 7:00 pm at Tom Nix Stadium.

Owls Fall In Wild One To Conquistadors

Facing their third defending state champion of the season last Friday, the MUS varsity football team definitely has been tested so far. However, Olive Branch, the top-ranked team in Mississippi, has something that Ensworth and Fayetteville (AR), the other two state champions, do not have: a quarterback that can scramble.  Olive Branch quarterback Sam Craft rushed for 148 yards and passed for 203 yards, accounting for almost 80% of the Conquistadors’ total offense, as he led the visitors to a 43-33 comeback win over the Owls.

Despite the high score, the defenses dominated for much of the first half. The teams exchanged the first four possessions, but the first break came when junior Lucas Crenshaw intercepted Craft and returned it into Olive Branch territory midway through the first quarter.

The Owls (3-2) turned that break into points as QB Jordan Rodgers found Shane Tucker from 19 yards out to complete the 3-play, 31-yard drive. Gary Wunderlich missed the extra point, keeping the lead at 6-0.

Olive Branch answered the score early in the second quarter as Craft hit Dontrell Nelson for a 35-yard score, and Zack Weir’s PAT gave the visitors the 7-6 lead with 8:10 left in the half.

MUS regained the lead late in the half as Rodgers passed for his second touchdown of the game, finding junior Devin Perry in the endzone as Perry outjumped two Conquistador defenders to secure the pass. MUS missed the two-point conversion, but the hosts still led at the break, 12-7.

After the defenses had control much of the first half, both offenses got untracked in the second half. Olive Branch (4-0) scored on their first possession of the third quarter as they went 80 yards on only 6 plays to score. Craft broke containment and scrambled 53 yards for the touchdown as Olive Branch led, 14-12.

But the Owls answered once again on their next drive as Rodgers threw his third touchdown of the game, connecting with Will Whitley from 9 yards out to culminate the 7-play, 55-yard drive that amassed 1:42. Wunderlich’s PAT gave MUS the 19-14 lead with 7:40 left in the third quarter.  And after a blocked punt on Olive Branch’s next possession, the Owls scored again just 2:23 later as Rodgers notched his fourth touchdown pass, finding Chris Evans on a swing pass, and Evans went in from 7-yards out to increase the lead to 26-14.

Three plays later, the Owls had the ball again following a fumble recovery by senior Hall Ballinger that gave the hosts the ball at the OB 28-yard line. MUS was poised to break the game open, and they went to a trick play. However, Colton Neel’s pass following a lateral was tipped and intercepted, and the turnover seemed to give the Conquistadors some mometum.

They turned the interception into points 12 plays later as Craft scored on a 1-yard plunge to cut the lead to 26-21. Then, following another MUS turnover, Byrekus Payne gave the Conquistadors the lead as he rushed 21 yards for a touchdown. Craft converted a two-point conversion run, extending the lead to 29-26, with 7:07 remaining in the game.

MUS regained the advantage just four minutes later as Rodgers went 3-3 on a drive that started at the MUS 34-yard line. The senior quarterback hit Witt Hawkins on consecutive plays (14 yards, 33 yards), and following a Olive Branch penalty, the Owls had the ball at the Conquistador 9-yard line. From there, Rodgers used misdirection and found Evans on a throw-back pass for the touchdown, Rodgers’ fifth scoring toss of the game, as the Owls now led, 33-29, with 3:09 left in the game.

Unfortunately, Olive Branch scored the final 14 points of the game. First, a hook-and-ladder pass on the first play of the ensuing drive went 82 yards to get the Conquistadors close, and then Craft rushed for his third touchdown of the game as he went in from 8 yards out for the score. And just two plays later, Rodgers was intercepted by Jamil Collins, who returned it 35 yards for the touchdown, as Olive Branch ended the game scoring 29 points in the fourth quarter to record the 43-33 victory.

In the loss, Rodgers set a school record with 46 passing attempts in a game, besting his mark of 45 set earlier this year against Ensworth. He also tied a mark with 5 touchdown passes in one game, equaling the 5 that Marc MacMillan threw against Treadwell in 1991. The Owls led for a majority of the game, but turnovers late and their inability to contain Craft consistently led to their defeat.

Next week is Homecoming at MUS as the Owls take on East. Kickoff at Stokes Stadium is set for 7:00 pm.

Owls Dominate Central At Crump

Senior quarterback Jordan Rodgers threw four first-half touchdown passes and ran for another score as the MUS varsity football team improved to 3-1 with a 46-0 win over Memphis Central at Crump Stadium.

The Owls scored on their first five possessions of the game against the Warriors (2-2) as they built a large early lead.

Rodgers found four different receivers for his four scoring tosses, hitting Will Whitley (16 yards), Devin Perry (27 yards), Witt Hawkins (12 yards), and Colton Neel (20 yards), all in the first half. Junior kicker Gary Wunderlich also added two field goals in the first half, connecting from 25 yards and 35 yards, as the Owls built a 33-0 halftime advantage.

And while MUS scored on almost every possession, the Central offense was stagnant throughout the first two quarters. The Warriors were held to only 23 first-half yards and already had five turnovers by the end of the second quarter. For the game, Central turned the ball over seven times, including four interceptions.

In the second half, the Owls again scored quickly to force a running clock as Rodgers accounted for his fifth touchdown of the game, sneaking in from 2-yards out to complete a 4-play, 34-yard drive that began with a Warren Ball interception.

With the running clock, the game went by quickly, but many Owls logged playing time and took advantage of the opportunity. Sophomore RB Darien Bradburn completed the scoring as he ran into the endzone from 29-yards out for the final touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. Hayes Westlake’s extra point gave the Owls the final 46-0 victory.

Next week, MUS returns home to face Mississippi power and defending state champion Olive Branch, the top-ranked team in the area. Kickoff is set for 7:00 pm this Friday night.