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Sophomore Jordan Brown was named the Commercial Appeal's Boys Athlete of the Week for his performance in the Owls' golf match against St. Benedict on August 22.
Brown won medalist honors as he shot -1 (34) for nine holes at Galloway, leading MUS to the 8-stroke victory, 158-166.
The Owls have gotten off to a good start so far in 2006, going 3-2 with victories over White Station, St. Benedict, and SBEC.
Good luck to Brown and his teammates this season.
In its first game outside of Tennessee in almost seven years, the varsity football team found out just how good a high-school team can be as they were handled by Nease (FL) High School, 34-3, in the Bill Bates Classic in Jacksonville, Florida, last Saturday.
The MUS offense was stiffled most of the game by the aggressive, blitzing Nease defenders as the Owls accumulated only 9 first downs and 157 yards of total offense. They drove past midfield only twice and converted only two of thirteen third-down opportunities.
But much of the credit for the offensive ineffectiveness of the Owls (1-1) should go to the Panthers (1-0), the defending Florida 4-A state champions. They continually pressured QB Michael Park, who finished 8-20 for 93 yards, and their size and aggression bothered the MUS receivers.
Yet the game remained close early on.
The Panthers led only 14-0 at the half as they took advantage of MUS miscues.
First,standout Kyle Timpane made the most of an unusual play as he snatched a ball kicked off the ground after a low punt snap to Drew Alston and returned it 49 yards for a touchdown. Allen Schaefer added the PAT for the 7-0 lead.
Then, just five minutes later, Nease struck again as the Owls gave up large chunks of yardage. Taking over at their own 16, the Panthers needed only 5 plays to score as QB Ted Stachitas hit Quinton Huggins, and the speedy receiver darted the 42 yards for the score. Schaefer's extra-point doubled the lead.
But that was all the scoring of the half as the MUS defense played better, allowing only 42 yards from the 2:30 mark of the first quarter to the half. Yet MUS could never find any offensive momentum.
Halftime gave the Owls hope that they could get back into the game as they were able to recuperate some from the brutal humidity on this muggy day. They would also get the ball to begin the second half, so they looked forward to the opportunity.
But a bad snap in Nease territory squelched the opening drive and all but ended the Owls' hopes of winning as the Panthers took advantage to score.
Following the turnover, Nick Tronti's 7-yard run culminated the 9-play, 55-yard drive, amassing approximately 2:30. Schaefer's missed PAT kept the score at 20-0.
Nease would score two more touchdowns in the second half. First, Chris Johnson's 8-yard run late in the third quarter ended an 83-yard drive, and then Stachitas' 28-yard scamper early in the fourth quarter increased the lead to 34 as the rout was on.
But the Owls refused to quit as they took advantage of a Nease turnover late in the game.
Following Ian Thomas' fumble recovery at the Nease 21, MUS could get only to the 12 before stalling. Taking the sure points, Zach Scott connected on the 29-yard field goal to complete the scoring.
The Owls hope to learn from this unique experience and improve. Though they did not win, they played one of the best teams in the nation and know what it takes to reach that level.
MUS does not get much time to rest as they return to action this Friday night in the home opener. Though the new stadium will not be completed, fans will get a glimpse of how impressive the structure will be as the Owls take on rival MBA (2-0). Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.
In one of the most anticipated Memphis high-school games in recent years, the MUS varsity football team defeated the tradition-rich Melrose Golden Wildcats in the feature game of the Bridges Kickoff Classic, 17-14, on Saturday night at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
In a defensive battle filled with penalties and turnovers, the Owls (1-0), ranked #1 by the Commercial Appeal, proved to be much more disciplined than the #2-ranked Golden Wildcats (0-1).
MUS looked stout defensively from the very start as they forced Melrose to a three-and-out on their first drive. On the Melrose punt-attempt from their own 22-yard line, junior Patrick Boyer, playing in his first varsity game, was able to get past the large Melrose line and recover punter Cortez Walton's fumble at the Melrose 8-yard line.
However, MUS could not turn the great field position into a touchdown as the talented Melrose defense forced MUS into kicking a field goal from the 5-yard line. Zach Scott nailed the 22-yarder to give the Owls a 3-0 lead with 8:04 left in the first quarter.
On Melrose’s next drive, the Wildcats were a little bit more successful moving the ball, yet Boyer once again made a big play as he picked off QB Courtney Madison's pass at the MUS 41-yard line and returned it to the MUS 49.
This time, the Owls would convert the takeaway into a touchdown.
Using a balanced offensive attack of completions from QB Michael Park and nice runs from RBs Chase Moore and Walt Wepfer, the Owls moved the ball to the Melrose 3-yard line. From there, Park needed only two sneaks to get into the end zone for the score. Scott missed the PAT as the score stood at 9-0 with 2:40 left in the first quarter.
For much of the second quarter, neither team could muster much offensively as penalties and turnovers halted drives. But Melrose demonstrated why they were picked #2 in the city on their final drive of the half.
Behind backup quarterback TraMarcus Toney, a sophomore, the Golden Wildcats moved the ball 85 yards on seven plays before a 10-yard touchdown strike from Toney to Justin Stone with :07 left in the half. Toney would also make the PAT to make the score 9-7 heading into halftime.
With all the momentum on their side, the Wildcats came out and dominated defensively in the third quarter.
On MUS’s first drive, Wildcat William Carter intercepted Park at the MUS 42-yard line on only the third play of the half.
But the MUS defense also rose up and made a key stop on fourth-and-three on their own 10-yard line to stop a Melrose drive.
For the rest of the third quarter neither team could put together a meaningful drive offensively, and the score stood at 9-7.
But Melrose would finally put together another good drive to start the fourth quarter.
Toney completed passes of 14 and 8 yards to move the ball to the MUS 17-yard line. After a crucial penalty had taken away a Boyer interception and moved the ball to the 7-yard line, Melrose RB Christopher Nash showed his great quickness and scored to give the Wildcats the lead for the first time. Toney’s PAT was good to give Melrose a 14-9 lead with 9:59 remaining in the game.
But the Golden-Wildcat score did not rattle the Owls. Just as MUS proved the last two seasons en route to back-to-back state titles, the Owls know how to come from behind for a victory.
With good field position after a Miles-Bryant 27-yard kickoff return to the MUS 38-yard line, the Owls got started.
After having garnered their first first down of the half on a crucial third-down 9-yard pass from Park to WR Stephen Bowie, MUS was halted on its next three offensive plays and was left with a fourth-and-three on the Golden Wildcat 42-yard line.
Going for the first down, Park continued the drive as he scrambled for 4 yards on an option run and a first down.
Finally in Melrose territory, MUS would pound the ball, moving it 34 yards on 6 rushes to the 3-yard line. From there, Park needed two QB sneaks to score with 3:02 left on the clock. Park would also convert the two-point conversion to give the Owls a 17-14 lead.
But Melrose didn’t quit.
Justin Holloway had returned the kickoff 84 yards before sophomore Barry Hillyer made a game-saving tackle at the MUS 15-yard line. With the end zone and a win in sight, Melrose again hurt themselves with three penalties that set up a fourth-and-26. On the fourth-down play, John Stokes tackled the receiver before he could gain the first down, giving the Owls the ball and the victory with :10 left.
Although MUS was outplayed for a long stretch of the game, they ultimately won because of discipline as they committed only 4 penalties, compared to Melrose’s 15 for 100 yards.
With the win, MUS won their third consecutive Bridges Kickoff Classic and their 23rd game out of their last 25.
Next week, the Owls travel to powerhouse Nease (FL) for the Bill Bates Charity Classic at the University of North Florida. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. CST.
Five members of the 2006 MUS baseball team were honored as head coach Marc MacMillan announced the program's annual post-season awards. Zack Rutland took top billing, earning both the Most Valuable Player Award and the Best Defensive Player Award.
Others honored were Michael Park, who earned the Most Outstanding Pitcher Award; Max Prokell, who earned the Best Offensive Player Award; Blair Wright, who earned the Most Improved Player Award; and Matt Henning, who earned the "Spirit" Award.
Most Valuable Player and Best Defensive Award - Rutland (Sr/C) started 38 out of 40 games, leading the team in batting with a .388 average while totaling 45 hits including 13 doubles, 6 HR, 40 RBI and 28 runs scored. Zack was also awarded the Best Defensive Player Award, leading the team with a .983 fielding percentage. Most memorable was Zack's performance against Briarcrest in the quarterfinals of the D2 West Tennessee Regional Tournament as he threw out three base runners (in the first two innings), went 2-3 with a double and four runs batted in to assist his team in earning only its second trip in school history to the State Tournament. Rutland was named to the 2006 Pepsi Challenge All-Tournament Team and was also recognized by state and area coaches earning his selection to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s All-State Team, D2 West Tennessee Region All-Conference Team, D2 West Tennessee Regional All-Tournament Team, Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association's All-Region Team, and The Commercial Appeal's "Private" All-Metro Team.
Most Outstanding Pitcher - Park (Jr/RHP) put together one of the best seasons in MUS baseball history, finishing with an overall record of 10-1 and a 1.56 ERA. He pitched 62.67 innings, allowing 44 hits while striking out 92 and walking 20 batters. He picked up wins against Briarcrest, ECS, Hendersonville, Knoxville Webb, Millington, and St. Benedict. Michael's performance throughout the year was recognized nationally with his selection as an Honorable Mention Multi-Position Player for the 2006 Louisville Slugger All-American Team and as a P/UT player for the 2006 National High School Baseball Coaches Association's All District Team. He was selected to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s All-State Team, D2 West Tennessee Region All-Conference Team, the D2 West Tennessee Regional All Tournament Team, Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association's All-Region Team, The Commercial Appeal's "Private" All-Metro Team, and The Commercial Appeal's Best of the Preps finalist.
Best Offensive Player - Prokell (Sr/CF) put together one of the best offensive seasons in MUS baseball history, batting .370 with 50 total hits including 13 doubles, 5 triples, 7 HR; totaling 94 bases, 30 RBI and 46 runs scored; and stealing 10 bases. With such offensive production, Max ranks in the Top 3 of individual season records in the categories of At Bats, Hits, Doubles, Triples, Home Runs, Total Bases, and Slugging Percentage. Prokell was named to the 14th Annual USA Classic All-Tournament Team and was also recognized by state and area coaches, earning his selection to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s All-State Team, D2 West Tennessee Region All-Conference Team, D2 West Tennessee Regional All-Tournament Team, Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association's All-Region Team, and The Commercial Appeal's "Private" All-Metro Team.
Most Improved Player - Wright (So/RHP/UT) showed steady improvement throughout the year, playing for both the JV and varsity. A versatile player, Blair plays four positions - 3B, 2B, SS, P - for the Diamond Owls. On the mound he picked up a key league win against Harding and then put together one of the best pitching performances of the year against Knoxville Webb in the State Tournament, allowing the Owls to advance to the State semifinals. In the semifinals against BGA, Blair threw 2.67 innings of relief after having pitched a complete game versus Knoxville Webb. In total, he pitched 10 innings, allowing 9 hits, 3 runs (2 earned) while striking out 8. His gritty performances in both the West Tennessee Regional and State Tournament demonstrated the type of mental and physical mind-set needed for future success.
“Spirit” Award - After having made significant contributions in 2005, Henning was ineligible for the 2006 season; however, he wanted to continue to be a part of MUS Baseball. In doing so, Matt continued to work out with the team throughout the fall and winter with both conditioning and lifting weights. Matt's senior leadership, hard work, support, and encouragement throughout the season was significant to the team's overall success and greatly appreciated by both coaches and teammates.
2006 Postseason Honors:
- 2006 TPX Louisville Slugger Honorable-Mention All American: Michael Park
- National High School Baseball Coaches Association’s All-District Team: Michael Park
- Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s All-State Team: Tyler Massey, Michael Park, Max Prokell, and Zack Rutland
- Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association’s All-Region Team: Michael Park, Max Prokell, and Zack Rutland
- D2 “Large” West Tennessee Region All-Conference Team: Tyler Massey, Michael Park, Max Prokell, and Zack Rutland
- D2 West Tennessee Region All-Tournament Team: Michael Park, Max Prokell, and Zack Rutland
The Commercial Appeal's “Private” All-Metro Team: Tyler Massey, Michael Park, Max Prokell, and Zack Rutland
