If Charles Dickens had been writing about the first-round playoff game between MUS and McCallie, he would have definitely titled his work A Tale of Two Halves. The Blue Tornado dominated the first half as they shut down the MUS offense and tacked on 17 points to enjoy a comfortable lead at the break. But the Owls refused to lie down as they began to assert themselves in the second stanza, slow the efficient McCallie option, and get back in the game. However, the Owls simply ran out of time as McCallie ended the season for MUS with a 17-10 victory in the first round of the "Super Seven" playoffs. MUS completes their 2003 season at 4-7, 2-3.
McCallie looked very strong from the outset as their defense confused the Owls, and their running game picked up first downs and moved the ball.
After having stopped MUS on the first three possessions, the Blue Tornado finally put together a solid drive. They moved 35 yards in 6 plays, but the Owl defense stepped up to force a fourth down on the MUS 25. So McCallie's do-everything quarterback and kicker, Ryan Moore, who was the 2002 Division II, AAA Mr. Football Back of the Year, attempted and connected on a 41-yard field goal to give the home team the early lead.
McCallie extended that advantage early in the second quarter as the Owl offense continued to flounder. On their next drive, the Blue Tornado took the ball at midfield and quickly got into scoring position. On the seventh play, Moore ran the option and broke several tackles to find his way into the endzone for the score. His PAT gave McCallie the 10-0 lead.
And McCallie went up 17-0 right before the half following a short drive. With the Blue Tornado facing a 4th and 2 at the MUS 4-yard line, they set up for a Moore field goal. However, the McCallie holder pitched the ball to Moore, who rolled out, saw an opening, and went in for the score to culminate the 8-play, 36-yard drive. Moore's extra-point gave McCallie the 17-0 halftime lead.
The Owls were very fortunate to be down only 17 points at the break as they had had very little offensive output (48 total yards), had given up a turnover, and had dodged a rare missed Moore field goal from 26-yards out. Without some offense, MUS would be blown out for the fourth straight game.
But the Owls fought back.
With Rob Park now at quarterback, MUS started slowly following an interception deep in their territory. But the Owl defense held inside their own 10-yard line and got the ball back following a Moore fumble.
Then the Owls slowly began to build momentum. With the defense holding the Blue Tornado, the offense began to pick up first downs and move the ball. Finally, MUS put up some points early in the fourth quarter.
On an impressive 7-play drive, the Owls went 72 yards, and Warren Grimm, who finished with 65 yards on 12 carries, finished the possession with a 9-yard scoring run. Ben Tacker added the extra-point to cut the lead to 17-7.
MUS reduced the advantage to just one possession later in the quarter after having started at their own 10. The Owls traveled 80 yards in 14 plays to get to the McCallie 10-yard line, aided by a 40-yard pass from Park to Mikell Hazlehurst on 4th and 16. However, facing another fourth down, MUS elected to take the points and kick a field goal, and Tacker connected to chop the lead to 7 with 1:25 left in the game.
But the Owls could get no closer. Following a failed onside kick attempt, McCallie ran out the clock to stay alive in the playoff race.
Following the ineffective first half, the Owls improved in the second stanza to make the game competitive. Park finished 6-19 for 132 yards and one interception as MUS tallied 9 first downs and 183 total yards in the second half while giving up only 106 yards after the half. The stellar performance by the defense kept the Owls in the game until the offense could get on track, but they just ran out of time.
MUS now looks forward to next season as they lose only nine seniors and one manager.