MUS Sports News

Owls Catch Breath In Non-Conference Tilt

In a game in which the MUS varsity football team was the favored squad, the Owls went out of conference play and took care of business, easily handling the Northside Cougars, 52-0, at home to ensure a winning record for the year.

MUS (6-0) took control on their first offensive possession as they needed only four plays to go 44 yards against the Cougars (0-5). The drive culminated with a 26-yard touchdown pass from QB Michael Park to WR Max Prokell. Chad Hazlehurst’s PAT gave MUS the early lead.

Even though they had the early lead, the Owls were somewhat sloppy offensively with penalties and other miscues for the remainder of the first quarter until they could find a rhythm. However, just as it has all season, the MUS defense was dominant in the opening quarter, allowing only one Northside first down, until the offense could garner some momentum.

After the sloppy first quarter, MUS was poised to extend the lead. And they did, as they scored three second-quarter touchdowns. Park threw two more scoring passes, a 25-yarder to Prokell and a 65-yard connection to a wide-open Stephen Bowie, and RB Tyler Massey also added a 13-yard scoring run as MUS led at the break, 28-0.

Taking the 28-point lead into the locker room, the Owl coaches planned to give the reserves some valuable experience.

The first team finished up their evening with one final drive to start the second half, and they executed well.

Using only three plays to go 62 yards, Park, who finished 8-9 for 192 yards, threw his fourth touchdown pass in the game, this time a 26-yarder to TE Doug Boyer. Junior K Zach Scott came in to add the extra-point, extending the lead to 35.

Scott got another opportunity to contribute later in the quarter as he set up for a 50-yard field goal attempt. Though the kick was low, it had enough distance to give the Owls the 38-0 lead. Scott’s 50-yarder tied for the fifth longest field goal in MUS history.

In the fourth, the Owl reserves looked to salt away the win.

Now at quarterback, Massey extended the lead with a 3-yard touchdown run with 11:55 left to give MUS the 45-0 lead after the Scott PAT.

Then, with 3:50 left in the game, RB Chase Moore sprinted in from 34 yards out to culminate a 2-play, 38-yard drive. The touchdown was Moore’s first career score for the varsity Owls.

Overall, MUS handled their business against a game but inferior Cougar squad. The reserves received valuable experience and played well as the starters were able to rest and heal some nagging injuries as the brutal conference schedule resumes next week.

That conference game will be a home affair as the mighty Brentwood Academy Eagles (4-1, 1-1) come to Hull-Dobbs to renew an old rivalry. This game marks a rematch of the 2004 state-title game. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Owl Runners Place Second in Nashville

Over the weekend, the MUS cross-country team took quite a road trip. 

First, the Owl runners accompanied the football team to Chattanooga where they cheered on the gridiron Owls to a 17-7 victory over the Baylor Red Raiders last Friday night. 

From there, the cross-country squad drove back to Nashville on Saturday to compete in the Tennessee Classic, held at the Percy Warner Steeplechase Course, which is also the course that holds the State Championship race in early November. Coach Joe Tyler has taken many teams to the Classic and state meet before and knows the course well. 

“Percy Warner is generally tougher to run than what we run at Shelby Farms,” commented Tyler. “There’s no shade, and you have to run through areas twice, unlike Shelby Farms.”

Despite the toughness of the course, the Owls were confident against the competition, containing 49 other teams and over 350 runners. And MUS ran well, ultimately finishing second overall, behind only Division II rival McCallie. This finish was a great accomplishment for the Owls since the Classic contains the largest number of opponents in one race that they will face all season. 

“We expected to be in the top five before the race, and second place was a pleasant surprise,” said Coach Tyler, who had wondered how the Owls would run after a hard week of practice.

Three runners represented MUS in the top 20 individual finishers: seniors Donald McClure (7th) and Hunter Adams (11th), and sophomore Ken Haltom (16th).

The next challenge for the Owls will be back at Shelby Farms for the Frank Horton Invitational on October 1. 

Golfers Gear Up For Postseason Run

The varsity golf team improved their record to 16-3 this past week with solid victories over Tipton Rosemark Academy and SBEC as they prepare for the postseason. 

First, the Owls easily handled TRA, 158-198, on September 13 at Orgill as they were led by medalist Dev Varma, who shot 2-over 38. Also contributing to the Owls’ decisive victory were freshman Jordan Brown (39), eighth-grader Wilson Orr (40), and junior Crispin Watson (41). 

Then, following the win over the Rebels, the Owls played September 15 against SBEC, the defending regional tournament champions, having defeated MUS by four strokes last year. The Owls had a great team effort as they won at Northcreek, 149-153, despite not having the lowest individual score. 

Senior Bowers Clement (35) led the Owls, shooting 1-under. He was followed by freshman Drew Frisby (37), junior Daniel Brown (38), junior Adam Bomar (39), and Watson (41). 

The Owls next play ECS and Briarcrest this Thursday, September 22, at the TPC at Southwind. The match starts at 2:00 p.m.

Owls Grab Rare Win in Chattanooga

The Owls just keep finding ways to win.

With a playoff berth on the line and an opportunity to avenge its only loss from last season, the MUS varsity football team scored 14 fourth-quarter points and gave up only 151 total yards to pull out a 17-7 “Super 7” victory over Baylor in Chattanooga last Friday night.

The Owls (5-0, 2-0) started well as they took the opening kickoff and immediately showed that they were prepared for the Red Raiders (3-2, 0-2). Two Michael Park-to-Stephen Bowie passes, including a 35-yarder on the first play of the game, got MUS going. However, after having driven 51 yards deep into Baylor territory, the home team finally stopped the drive, forcing a 39-yard field-goal attempt by senior Chad Hazlehurst. Hazlehurst’s try split the uprights as the visitors took the early lead, 3-0.

After the Owl defense held the Red Raiders on their first possession on three plays, MUS looked to add to their lead. However, after three illegal-blocking penalties pinned the Owls inside their own 10-yard line, Park was intercepted by Baylor CB Ty Levie, and the Red Raiders were set up at the MUS 28-yard line.

Though the MUS defense looked poised to keep Baylor from scoring, the Red Raiders ultimately took advantage of the Owl turnover, capping off a 10-play, 28-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown reception by TE Trey Dyer from QB Cody Romans. Devin Mathis’ PAT gave the Red Raiders the 7-3 lead with 2:23 left in the first quarter. 

That touchdown would be the last score of the half as both defenses dominated, forcing punts throughout the rest of the first half. Neither team could build on their initial scores as the teams headed to the locker-room.

Though the score was close, Baylor held a significant advantage in time-of-possession, 15:02-8:58. The MUS coaches knew that they must keep their defense off the field in the second stanza to keep them fresh and to wear on the Baylor defense on this very humid, muggy evening.

In the third quarter, the Owls started to accomplish their goal. The MUS offensive line began to take control up front, and sophomore RB Tyler Massey was the beneficiary.  Massey gained many of his 105 rushing yards in the second half as the back found some holes. The Owls also began to win the field-position battle as they played much of the third quarter in Baylor territory, putting pressure on the Red Raiders. With these two factors in their favor, the Owls looked to dominate the fourth quarter as they began to close the time-of-possession gap.

MUS finally grabbed the lead with 9:01 left in the game as RB Whit Cox came in with fresh legs and rumbled in from 4 yards out on 4th-and-goal, culminating an impressive 15-play, 54-yard drive that amassed 5:35. The drive saw the Owls pick up two fourth-down conversions and run on 11 of their 15 plays during the possession. Hazlehurst’s PAT gave MUS a 10-7 lead.

The Owls’ defense stepped up as well and quickly gave the ball back to the offense as Baylor could not move the ball. 

Now with the ball, MUS looked to salt the game away. Starting with 7:08 remaining at their own 28, the Owls systematically drove 72 yards on 13 plays while eating up 6:09, mainly with the running of Massey. MUS also took advantage of two Baylor penalties, including a roughing-the-passer penalty on one 3rd-down and a roughing-the-kicker penalty following an Owl punt that continued the drive.

Using the penalties, MUS moved into Baylor territory, and, after Massey had picked up a crucial 4th-and-4 conversion, Cox scored his second touchdown as he raced in from 24-yards out with only 59 seconds remaining. The touchdown and Hazlehurst’s PAT ended the scoring as the Owls overcame.

Unlike the first half, MUS won the time-of-possession battle in the second half, 13:23-10:37. The Owl defense was very well-rested in the fourth quarter because of their time off the field and therefore made stops late in the game, limiting Baylor to only 65 total yards in the second half.

With the win, only their third in Chattanooga since the inception of the "Super 7," the Owls clinched a playoff berth as they extended their series lead over Baylor to 5-3. They will look to continue to improve this week as they will face Northside this Friday night at the much friendlier confines of Hull-Dobbs Field. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.

Varsity Runners Place Second in First Race

The varsity cross-country Owls ran in their first race of the season last Saturday night, September 10, at the Twilight Meet, held at the Mike Rose Athletic Complex.  With a strong effort, the Owls took second place behind Hoover (AL) High School in the annual race under the lights.  Their finish was certainly a good sign for the Owl runners who are facing fairly big expectations this season. 

Three MUS runners finished in the top 20 to provide leading scores for the team, including junior Ken Haltom(6th) and seniors Donald McClure(7th) and Hunter Adams(12th). Preceding the varsity’s race was the JV race in which the Owls took third.

The MUS coaches were satisfied with the outcome and were able to make many observations from the Owls’ first meet.

“We definitely learned a lot about our team from this race,” said Head Coach Joe Tyler. “The biggest thing is that we look like we’re in good shape for right now.” 

Although the Owls were overall satisfied with their finish, Coach Tyler is still looking for more improvement.

“There are still many areas where we can improve, and we have some gaps that need to be filled.” 

The Owls do not have much time to recover before they have to travel to Nashville for their next race. The Tennessee Classic will be held at the Percy Warner Park in Nashville on Saturday, September 17.  Last year, MUS brought third-place back to Memphis in the Classic, and this season they are again looking to make a statement to out-of-town teams. 

“The level of competition should be about the same as what we had to face in the Twilight meet,” Tyler said looking ahead to the Classic. 

The Owls have had a tough week of practice, and the coaches are eager to see how the team will race on tired legs.  The Tennessee Classic will also be significant for the Owls since it is the only time during the season that they will run at Percy Warner Park before the State Championship, held November 5.

Late Flurry Leaves Owls Victorious

On their way to the 2004 state title, the MUS Varsity football team had to win its share of close games to reach their goal, and it did, winning five games decided by seven points or fewer.

For the first time in 2005, the Owls found themselves in a close game, this time against neighborhood rival ECS, and just like last season, they found a way to win a close game, defeating the stubborn Eagles, 21-3, last Friday night at Hull-Dobbs Field.

The Owls (4-0,1-0), knew they would be in a tough game as ECS (3-1) shut down the MUS offense, averaging over 37 points-per-game, on its first possession. Then the Eagles showed that they were for real as they drove down the field on the salty Owl defense.

Taking over at their own 8-yard line following a Drew-Alston punt, ECS used ten plays to reach the MUS 19. But from here, the Eagles started retreating following four consecutive penalties, facing 4th-and-20 at the Owl 29. Jordan Thompson then came out and connected on a 47-yard field goal to give ECS the early lead.

MUS tried to answer the score, but the Eagle defense, putting intense pressure on QB Michael Park, would not allow the MUS offense to get in sync.

But as it has for the last year and a half, Coach Bubba Burr’s defensive unit came through with a big play.

CB Logan Welch picked off QB Stephen Box’s pass at the ECS 40 early in the second quarter, and the offense took advantage. On the next play Park found Stephen Bowie in the back of the endzone for a 40-yard touchdown. Chad Hazlehurst’s PAT was good, giving the Owls a 7-3 lead with 11:43 remaining in the half.

And that is the way the half ended as neither team could consistently execute offensively against the opposing defenses.

At the break, the Owls were quietly confident in their situation. Even though the game was close, the MUS coaches knew that ECS would struggle to score against the staunch MUS defense and the Owls’ depth and size would eventually wear on the smaller but game ECS defensive front.

And the second half proved them right. The ECS defense did begin to show holes as the Owls put together long drives. However, MUS could not capitalize as they failed to execute inside the Eagle 20 on three consecutive possessions.

Despite the Owls’ inability to finish long drives with scores, they began to win the battle for field position by holding the Eagle offense to short drives of 5, 3, and 3 plays within ECS’s own territory.

Ultimately, the Owl defense forced ECS to make mistakes, which the opportunistic Owl offense turned into points.

Following a Donnie Malmo interception and return to the ECS 32 with 2:20 left in the game, the Owl offense needed only two plays, a 14-yard pass from Park to Max Prokell and a 9-yard run from Devin Owens to extend the lead to 14-3 with 1:53 remaining.

Then the Owls completed their flurry of late points as NG Mason George single-handedly ended the Eagle hopes for a comeback with two sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Hazlehurst’s PAT finished out the scoring.

Though the score was close until the two late scores, the Owls gained control and dominated the second half. Despite the missed scoring opportunities, MUS ran 20 more plays (37-17) and held the ball nine more minutes in the second stanza. With a 351-161 total-yard advantage, MUS looked poised to break the game open much earlier than it did, but a feisty Eagle squad kept the game close and represented well.

Next week MUS travels to Chattanooga to take on Baylor (3-1, 0-1), the lone team to beat the Owls last season. Kickoff is set at 6:30 CST. Fans who cannot attend the game can hear it on 91.7 FM.

Senior Leadership Evident Among Owl Runners

MUS assistant cross-country coach Kyle Smith definitely knows what the key is to having and maintaining a successful cross-country program.

“The goal of the cross-country program is to train young runners so that when they are seniors they can run the team," says Smith. 

This year the cross country team looks as if it has already fulfilled that goal with the talented group of seniors on the squad.  The seven seniors that will be leading this year’s team are Hunter Adams, David Deaderick, Philip DeBardeleben, Matt Dowling, Oliver Green, Aaron Khouri, and Donald McClure.

To spend four years with one sport, especially one as grueling as cross country, student athletes have to have a certain motivation for and dedication to that sport.  Whether it is waking up early to go for a run before school or going to a practice in the intense afternoon heat, these senior runners on the cross-country team have shown dedication on all levels.  And of course, experienced runners will help get the job done at races as well as practices. 

Senior Oliver Green, who has been on the team for three years, appreciates his classmates and knows the value of a good senior class.

“We have a very experienced team this season, and I believe that our senior leadership will greatly contribute to our successes,” says Green, who will be looked to to have a fine year. 

The coaches also see the great potential for success with the maturity this season. Smith states, “With this group of seniors, there’s no limit to what we can accomplish this year.”

Cross country has already started its season with two league meets, in which the J.V. Owls ran.  The Varsity Owls, including many of the aforementioned seniors, will make their debut under the lights in the Twilight Meet.  The meet will be held at 8 p.m. on Saturday, September 10, at the Mike Rose Complex.  The Varsity Owls will look to the senior team leaders for consistent performances throughout this year.

Owls Go 3-0 With Impressive Road Win

The outstanding run for the MUS varsity football team continues. 

Led by a defense that recorded its second shutout in three games and an offense that made few mistakes, the Owls looked dominant in running their record to 3-0 for the twenty-first time in the forty-nine years of modern MUS football as they won their road opener over Nashville-rival Montgomery Bell Academy, 24-0, last Friday night.

Though the Owls (3-0, 1-0) led only 6-0 at the half over the Big Red (1-2, 0-1), they had controlled much of the first half as MBA could muster little offensively, and MUS had moved the ball effectively despite not finding the end zone.

The combination of QB Michael Park to WR Stephen Bowie got MUS untracked early as Bowie hauled in four Park passes in the Owls’ first two possessions to soften up the Big-Red defense. Bowie caught passes of 18, 15, and 17 yards on the Owls’ second drive to get MUS to the MBA 16-yard line, but two penalties stalled the drive, and they had to settle for the field-goal attempt, which Chad Hazlehurst connected on from 32-yards out to give the Owls the early lead late in the first quarter.

Hazlehurst again was true about 3 minutes later as he connected on a 26-yard field goal to culminate a 9-play, 40-yard drive that began with an interception by Logan Welch.  MUS had a 1^st-and-goal from the MBA 9, but two runs and an incomplete pass brought out Hazlehurst for the field goal.

The Big Red never could garner any offensive momentum throughout much of the first half as they could not put together any drives longer than 6 plays. However, they did begin to move the ball late in the half following a Drew-Alston punt.

Starting at their own 22 with just over three minutes to go, MBA converted two long third-downs and crossed midfield for the first time as they ultimately advanced all the way to the Owl 22-yard line with inside one minute remaining. Yet on 1^st down, MBA fumbled as QB David Howe could not handle a high snap, and John Stokes recovered to keep the home team off the scoreboard going into the half.

MUS continued their dominance in the second half as MBA never made a serious run.  The Big Red could muster only 24 total yards in the third quarter as the Owl defense controlled the line and forced the run-oriented Big Red to throw the ball on almost every down. 

While MBA was floundering, MUS added on to their lead as they took advantage of good field position provided to them by the defense. Following a shanked MBA punt that went out-of-bounds at the Big Red 22, the Owls needed only 5 plays to reach the end zone.  Park ended the drive with a 1-yard dive, and a Park-to-Doug-Boyer pass on the two-point try increased the lead to 14 with 3:34 left in the third quarter.

Hazlehurst kicked his third field goal of the game early in the fourth quarter as he connected from 32-yards out on the Owls’ next drive that began following a bad snap on a Big-Red punt. MUS reached the MBA 15-yard line, but again two penalties stalled the drive as they settled for the field goal.

Park ended the scoring on the Owls’ next possession as he rumbled 11 yards for the touchdown. The drive began as MUS stopped the Big Red on downs at the Owl 37, and the Owls used nine runs, including eight by Tyler Massey, who gained 73 yards on 16 carries, to score. Hazlehurst’s PAT gave MUS the final 24-point advantage as the Owls salted away the conference victory.

Once again, the defense stood out as MBA never penetrated the MUS 20-yard line. Coach Bubba Burr’s group allowed only a paltry 6 yards rushing and forced the Big Red, who normally like to run the ball, into 42 pass attempts and 21 completions. Conversely, MUS remained very balanced as the early passing success to Bowie and Max Prokell, who ended with 7 catches for 42 yards, opened up running lanes for Massey and Devin Owens. 

MUS ended with 131 net yards rushing, which almost met the combined rushing totals for the two games against MBA last season (138 yards).  This balance allowed Park to find open receivers, and he was very accurate, connecting on 16-21 passes for 148 yards.

MUS faces another test this Friday night as hometown rival ECS comes to Hull-Dobbs for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff. The Eagles (3-0) will look to avenge last season's 14-10 loss.