In a nearly statistically even game, the MUS football team used a determined defense and clutch offense to overcome a slow first half as they defeated Montgomery Bell Academy, the defending state champion and top-ranked team in the state, 14-8, at Hull-Dobbs last Friday night.
The Owls (8-1, 2-1) and MBA (7-2, 3-1) started slowly on their first drives as both went three-and-out and were forced to punt.
However, on the Big Red’s second possession, they drove into MUS territory but faced a 3rd-and-4 from the Owl 10. Yet the MUS defense stepped up, forcing a David Howe incompletion and a fourth down. MBA looked to settle for the sure points as they sent out their field goal unit; however, Bryant Hahnfeldt’s 27-yard field goal sailed wide left, keeping the game scoreless in the first quarter.
But MBA took advantage of this field position as they forced a quick Owl punt, and Luke Brown got the Big Red on the scoreboard first as he blocked Rob Park’s punt, sending it through the back of the end zone for a safety.
MBA now had the momentum and looked to increase their advantage, yet the MUS defense stepped up following the initial Big Red score, holding MBA scoreless the rest of the first half.
However, the Owl offense found no rhythm offensively throughout the first half against the aggressive, overwhelming MBA defense and could not sustain any consistent drives.
The Big Red offense did threaten one final time in the second quarter, but a Donnie Malmo interception inside the MUS 10 squelched the scoring opportunity as the teams went to the half.
The second half initially looked much like the first as both teams continued to struggle offensively.
With the defenses playing well, both coaching staffs knew that the game would likely be won by the team who could force some mistakes and turnovers, and Defensive Coordinator Bubba Burr’s group obliged.
With the Big Red facing a 2nd and 6 from the MUS 43-yard line, junior LB Will Pickens forced a Howe fumble, and Joey Friend’s recovery gave the Owls the ball at midfield.
MUS looked to take advantage of this turnover, and they struck quickly. Park set up the score with a 39-yard pass to J.P. Zdancewicz to the 1-yard line. Park’s sneak on the very next play and Ben Tacker’s PAT gave the Owls the 7-2 lead late in the third quarter.
MBA looked to regain the advantage, but the MUS defense once again held, forcing a Big-Red punt early in the fourth quarter; however, John David Lawhorn muffed the punt at his own 20-yard line, and Ben Daniel’s recovery set up the Big-Red offense inside the Owl 30.
MBA capitalized on the turnover as Howe hit Chambliss Shillinglaw for a 27-yard score. The Big-Red two-point conversion failed as the MUS defense forced an incomplete pass, yet the Big Red still maintained the 8-7 lead with 10:19 left in the fourth quarter.
The Owls, who had not put together a long drive all night, now needed one to regain the lead, and they came through. Using five rushes and two passes, MUS face a 4th and 3 at the MBA 35; going for the first down, Park rolled right and hit Zdancewicz, who spun and raced into the end zone to send the home crowd into an uproar. Tacker’s PAT gave MUS the 14-8 lead with 6:33 left in the game.
The MUS defense now needed to hold, and they stepped up, stopping the Big Red at their own 41 to force a punt.
Looking to run out the clock, the Owls took over at the MUS 36 and gained three crucial first downs, including two on critical 4th-and-1 plays, as they ran out the clock and secured the 14-8 victory.
The MUS win can be attributed to their second-half defensive performance and clutch rushing attack. The defense allowed only 14 yards passing in the second half and only one touchdown. The Owls finished with 89 yards rushing, 83 of those by Kane Alber, and Zdancewicz also contributed with 74 yards receiving, including a 39-yard reception and one touchdown. After only 17 first-half passing yards, the offense did get untracked and actually outgained the Big Red, 212-209, in this big win that evened the overall series at 6.
Next week the Owls take on rival CBHS as MUS will look to improve playoff seeding and avenge last season’s home loss. Kickoff is set for 7:30 at CBHS.