MUS Sports News

Pickens named Defensive Player of the Week

Will Pickens, senior linebacker and one of three team captains for the undefeated MUS varsity football team, was named as the Defensive Player of the Week by The Commercial Appeal for his outstanding play against rival Brentwood Academy.  Click here to read about his performance and recognition.

Owl Alum Has Big Day For Tigers

Derek Clenin '03, a junior walk-on on the University of Memphis football team and MUS alumnus, had an outstanding game last Saturday evening against the Texas El Paso Miners, helping the Tigers defeat their conference foe, 27-20.  Read a game recap that discusses Clenin's vital contributions to the key Tiger win and an article by columnist Geoff Calkins of The Commercial Appeal that mentions Clenin's role.

MUS Wins In State-Title Rematch

The unbelievable winning streak for the MUS varsity football team goes on.

As it has all year, the MUS defense, which has now held opponents scoreless for eleven consecutive quarters, led the effort as they forced three first-half turnovers, and the Owl offense took advantage, cruising to a 28-0 victory over Brentwood Academy, last year’s state finalist, last Friday night at home.

The Eagles (4-2, 1-2) came out on their opening drive and looked poised to challenge MUS (7-0, 3-0), the top-ranked team in the state.  BA used a strong rushing attack to move the ball into Owl territory, but the defense stepped up and made one of many big plays on 2nd-and-9 as Logan Welch intercepted a John-Garrett pass on the MUS 3-yard line to squelch the drive.

Energized by the defensive stand, the Owl offense used a strong passing attack, led by QB Michael Park, to drive 97 yards for a score. The combination of Park to WR Max Prokell clicked early as Prokell caught three passes on the Owls’ opening drive to move the ball down the field. Prokell caught passes of 11 and 43 yards to get into BA territory, and then he ended the drive, hauling in a 17-yard touchdown pass to give the Owls the early lead. Chad Hazlehurst tacked on the PAT to give MUS the 7-0 lead and cap off a 12-play, 97-yard drive.

The MUS defense made another big play 1:32 later as senior Duncan Adrian intercepted a Garrett pass at the Brentwood 37-yard line. Just as the Welch interception had, Adrian’s interception led to the second Owl touchdown, this time an amazing 19-yard reception by Prokell in the corner of the endzone that capped off a quick 3-play, 37-yard drive. Hazlehurst tacked on the PAT to extend the lead to 14-0 with four seconds remaining in the opening quarter.

After neither team could get first downs on their opening drives of the second quarter, Brentwood again manufactured an efficient drive. The Eagles ran the ball on twelve of their thirteen plays to travel 65 yards to reach the MUS 4-yard line. However, Adrian stepped up once again to end the threat, picking off another pass from Garrett in the endzone as the Owls headed to the lockerroom with the 14-0 lead.

MUS continued their dominance in the third quarter as the Owls were determined the wear the BA defenders down, many of whom play offense as well.

Looking to get the running game untracked, MUS went to the ground, and the strategy paid off.  RB Tyler Massey extended the lead even more with a 28-yard dash into the endzone that capped off a 4-play, 69-yard drive to begin the second half. Hazlehurst's PAT increased the lead to 21-0.

However, BA did not give up as they looked to take advantage of a botched snap of an MUS punt later in the third quarter.

Taking over at the Owl 7, the Eagles used two plays to advance the ball to the 1-yard line.  Yet the MUS defense refused to give in and stopped the Eagles on two straight scoring attempts from the Owl 1-yard line.

The goal-line stand gave the Owls even more energy, and they finished their task as they scored one final time. Park and Prokell connected for the third time, this time a 10-yard strike, and Hazlehurst tacked on the PAT to close the scoring at 28-0. Prokell’s three receiving touchdowns tied the school record for most receiving touchdowns in a game.

The MUS defense once again was the key to the victory as they came up with big plays, and Park was extremely efficient, going 11-18 for 175 yards and three touchdowns. The offensive balance of a strong passing and rushing game led to many open receivers all night long. As usual, the defense produced staggering numbers, holding Brentwood to only 30 net yards passing and an average of 3.2 yards per play for the game.

MUS faces another strong team this Friday night as hometown rival CBHS visits Hull-Dobbs for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff. The Purple Wave (6-1, 2-1) will look to avenge last season’s 10-3 loss.