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.