Facing the neighborhood rival in a tension-filled game to wrap up the regular season, the MUS Owl football team valiantly overcame penalties and turnovers to defeat rival CBHS, 10-3, at Tom-Nix Field to finish the regular season at 9-1 and clinch the two-seed in the “Super Seven” playoffs, earning a first-round bye next week.
The Owls (9-1, 3-1) started slowly against CBHS (5-5, 1-3) on their first drive as they went three-and-out and were forced to punt. However, Rob Park’s punt was muffed by Sylvester Cape at the Purple Wave 47, and Ben Stallworth’s recovery in Brother territory gave the Owls the ball and the early momentum.
MUS looked to take advantage of the CBHS turnover, and John David Lawhorn’s 35-yard reception from Park set up the Owls inside the Purple Wave 15. Four plays later Park hit Lawhorn again, this time in the end zone, for the 11-yard score, taking the home crowd out of the game. Ben Tacker’s PAT gave the Owls’ the 7-0 lead with 7:35 remaining in the first quarter.
However, the Owls could not build on their early momentum as the Purple Wave defense kept the hosts in the game. After having forced a punt, CBHS took over at their own 31 and drove into MUS territory all the way to the Owl 34. However, the MUS defense stepped up to foil the Purple Wave drive as sophomore Will Aldridge forced a Henry Harris fumble, and Mason Mosby’s recovery gave the Owl offense the ball at the CBHS 37.
But the Owls failed to capitalize on the fumble as they turned the ball over on a fumble as well, giving CBHS the ball inside the MUS 30.
However, as they have all season, the Owl defense once again stopped the drive and forced a busted Wave fourth-down play, getting the ball back with 2:35 left in the first quarter.
But the offense remained sluggish and could not take advantage. Ultimately, neither the Owls nor the Purple Wave could score the rest of the first half as both defenses dominated, and the score remained 7-0 at the half.
Heading to the half, the Owls looked to correct their mistakes to put the game away.
The half started well for MUS as they quickly stopped CBHS to force a punt, which LB Will Pickens blocked, and Will Thornton’s recovery set up the Owls at the Purple Wave 17.
MUS looked to make the game a two-score contest, but after having failed to make a first down, the Owls sent out the field-goal team. Unfortunately, Tacker’s 39-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left as MUS could not extend the advantage.
Later, the MUS offense regained possession in CBHS territory after having forced another Purple Wave punt. Warren Grimm’s rushing and an outstanding 17-yard catch by Weller Drennon on 3rd and 20 got the Owls into field-goal position, and this time Tacker connected on a 32-yard attempt to give MUS the 10-0 lead with 2:05 remaining in the third quarter.
CBHS needed to score on their next possession to keep the game within reach, and they came through. The Purple Wave drove into Owl territory, but the MUS defense kept them out of the end zone, stopping them at the Owl 11. Greg Gaston connected on a 28-yard field goal to cut the MUS lead to 10-3 with 7:06 remaining in the game.
The Owls now looked to score one more time to put the game away, but their rivals had other plans. The Wave defense forced a Park fumble in MUS territory, and Josh Woods’ recovery gave CBHS the ball at the Owl 38.
Taking over inside the MUS 40 with only 3:53 left in the game, CBHS needed a touchdown to even the contest. Aided by an Owl pass-interference call, the Purple Wave were threatening at the MUS 23. Following an incompletion on third down, CBHS faced a 4th and 11 from the Owl 24 with 2:49 left in the game. However, the Owl defense made a play as QB Carey Taylor’s fourth-down pass, intended for TE Chris Mosby, was broken up by Mason Mosby, and MUS took over on offense.
With only 2:42 left in the game, the Owls picked up one first down as Grimm rushed for 12 yards on 3rd and 11, and they ultimately ran out the clock to finalize the victory over their rivals and complete their most successful regular-season since 1997.
After having had surgery earlier in the week, Park played a very efficient, gutsy game as he went 9-15 for 136 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions to lead MUS. The defense also was crucial to the win as they did not allow a touchdown and held the Brothers to under 150 total yards
As the two-seed, MUS earned a bye next week and returns to action November 12 at Hull-Dobbs in the semifinal round of the “Super Seven” playoffs. The Owls will face the winner of the Baylor-MBA game and look to make an appearance in the state-title game with a victory.