With their 41-6 win at Briarcrest in the regular-season finale last Friday night, the MUS varsity football team completed their second straight undefeated regular season and earned the top seed in the West in the upcoming Super Prep playoffs. 

On a rainy evening in the mud, the Owls started slowly against the inspired Saints as Briarcrest took an early lead on their senior night.

Taking the opening kickoff, BCS had gotten deep into MUS territory before stalling at the Owl 9-yard line. Anderson Goin connected on a 26-yard field goal to culminate the 10-play, 61-yard drive that took up 5:17. Though MUS kept the Saints out of the endzone, getting the early lead gave the Saints confidence and momentum.

However, like any championship team, the Owls answered the Briarcrest score with a score of their own.

Beginning at their own 25-yard line, the Owls tried to establish the line of scrimmage by running the football, and they were successful. Yet the hosts ultimately held deep in their own territory, and Christian Kauffman tied the game with a 30-yard field goal, completing the 11-play, 62-yard drive that amassed 4:43.

But the deteriorating field conditions began to slow the offenses headed into the second quarter.

Following several punts, Briarcrest retook the lead at 4:53 remaining in the half with a Goin 40-yard field goal following a 7-play drive.

But the Owls grabbed the lead for the first time just 33 seconds later needing only two plays.

Starting at their own 21-yard line, QB Barry Brunetti found TE Bryan Crenshaw down the seam, and the senior had rumbled down the sloppy field before ultimately getting caught at the 1-yard line. Brunetti scored on the next play, and Kauffman’s PAT gave MUS the 10-6 lead with 4:20 left in the half.

The Owls would add another field goal as time expired following a turnover.

Facing a 3rd-and-4 from their own 25-yard line, D.J. McNeil mishandled a toss, and Andrew Gardella recovered the fumble at the Saint 20-yard line with 4 seconds remaining.

With time enough for only one play, Kauffman hit from 37-yards out to increase the lead to 13-6 at the break. Kauffman ended the regular season perfect in field goals, going 12-12.

In the second half, the Owls used the momentum from the late field goal to break the close game open.

MUS scored two touchdowns in the third quarter and two more in the fourth while holding the potent Saints, averaging almost 40 points per game, to just 105 total yards in the second half.

Brunetti added his second rushing score of the game on the first possession of the third quarter to complete a 9-play, 65-yard drive as he went in from 3-yards out.

Five minutes later, he threw his first touchdown of the game as he hit Landon Finney from 38-yards out to increase the lead.

In the fourth quarter, the Owls added two rushing touchdowns as reserves saw action.

First, William Cross culminated a 10-play, 58-yard drive that took up 3:41 as he went in on a 1-yard plunge for the touchdown to increase the lead to 34-6 with 9:24 remaining in the game.

And on the next possession, Forrest Baty finished the scoring with a 64-yard run as he outran several tacklers for the touchdown.

With the division title and first-round bye already secured, and with the rainy conditions making footing uneasy, the Owls could have easily been sluggish and taken the Saints lightly; however, MUS continued to take care of the ball early in the game and eventually established their running game as they won going away. The Owls (10-0, 3-0) finished with 260 rushing yards and 404 total yards as they withstood the Saints (6-4, 1-2) early and cruised to the 41-6 victory.

Next week, MUS is off as it awaits its quarterfinal opponent. The Owls will take on the St. Benedict-Baylor winner November 13 at home. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at Stokes Stadium.

With his performance against Christian Brothers last Friday night, junior linebacker Zach Erickson was named the Commercial Appeal's Defensive Player of the Week for Week 9.

In the 38-14 win, Erickson tallied twelve total tackles, including two for loss, and two interceptions that led to fourteen points. Erickson now has 49 tackles on the season, third most on the squad.

For coverage from the Commercial Appeal on Erickson, click here.

At the half of last-Friday's home football game against CBHS, the MUS varsity squad found themselves in a position that they had not been all season -- trailing at the break.

However, four third-quarter touchdowns, all coming in a span of 4:28, broke open a close game as the Owls, the top-ranked team in the city, won handily, 38-14, to extend their unbeaten streak to twenty-two games.

MUS started quickly as they scored the first ten points, scoring on their opening two possessions.

After an initial stop, the Owls took over at the Purple Wave 47-yard line and started moving the football.

However, on 3rd-and-5 at the CBHS 16-yard line, QB Barry Brunetti's pass to Matt Williams fell incomplete, stalling the drive. Fortunately, Christian Kauffman continued his outstanding senior season as he connected from 33-yards out to give the hosts the early 3-0 lead.

The Owls added to that advantage on their next drive as Brunetti broke free from the line and went into the endzone from 7-yards out, culminating the 10-play, 70-yard possession that took up 3:40. The key play of the drive was Brunetti's 18-yard scamper to get MUS close.

But like any good team, the Purple Wave answered early in the second quarter.

Jonathan Brown's 1-yard plunge ended an impressive 12-play, 78-yard drive as CBHS' balanced attack was very effective. QB Jake Zdancewicz went 4-4 passing on the possession as he kept the Owl defenders off-balance. Corey Acosta's PAT closed the gap to 3 points at 10-7 with 8:30 left in the half.

The Purple Wave's defense was sparked by the touchdown as they began to stymie the Owls, limiting the hosts to only 2 first-downs the entire second quarter.

Meanwhile, CBHS put together another drive just before the half to take the lead.

On their eighth play of the drive, and with just 11 seconds remaining from the MUS 22-yard line, Purple-Wave coaches trotted out Acosta, one of the best kickers in the area, to attempt a field goal. However, after a time-out, they reconsidered and sent the offense back out. On the next play, Zdancewicz found Chris Bunkley in the corner of the endzone for the score as CBHS had the 14-10 halftime lead.

Instead of being frustrated and upset because of the halftime deficit, MUS coaches used the disadvantage as incentive to play well in the second half and beyond. And the players responded.

MUS opened the half with a score as Brunetti went in from 1-yard out to complete the 13-play, 80-yard drive that amassed 3:40. Kauffman's extra-point gave the hosts the lead back at 17-14.

Then following a Zach-Erickson interception at the CBHS 27-yard line, the Owls struck again as on the next play, Brunetti hit TE Bryan Crenshaw down the seam for the 27-yard touchdown. Kauffman added the PAT for the 24-14 advantage with 7:13 left in the quarter.

MUS added a third touchdown just 2:10 later following another Erickson interception. From the Purple Wave 47-yard line, the hosts used 7 plays to move to the 5-yard line. From there, Keith McBride tip-toed into the endzone for his fifth touchdown of the season, giving the Owls the 31-14 lead with 5:10 left.

But the onslaught was not complete.

Following a CBHS punt, the Owls scored again as Brunetti found McBride on a short pass, and the senior runningback did the rest as he went 68 yards for the score. Kauffman's kick gave the Owls the 38-14 lead as they had scored their fourth touchdown in just 4:28.

From there, MUS took care of the ball and did not make any mistakes as they ran out the clock.

With the win, the Owls improve to 9-0, 2-0 in the division, while CBHS falls to 7-2, 1-1 in division play. Their twentieth-second consecutive victory, a school record, also insures MUS of a first-round bye in the playoffs.

Next-Friday night, the regular-season finale, the Owls travel to Eads to take on Briarcrest. Kickoff at the SportsPlex is set for 7:00 p.m.

With a balanced attack that led to seven touchdowns in their first seven possessions, the MUS varsity football team jumped out early and easily handled conference foe St. Benedict last Friday night, defeating the Eagles, 46-0.

The Owls scored on every offensive possession of the first half as they controlled the line of scrimmage.

Stephond Allmond's 7-yard scamper gave MUS the early lead with 7:11 in the first quarter after an initial defensive stand.

Then, after another stop, QB Barry Brunetti threw his first of three touchdown passes on the night as he hit WR Hank Hill streaking down the sideline for the 60-yard score to increase the lead late in the first quarter.

Midway through the second quarter the Owls' lead continued to grow as Brunetti found TE Bryan Crenshaw from 16-yards out for another touchdown. The score was Crenshaw's first of the season and gave the visitors the 20-0 lead with 4:40 remaining in the half.

But the Owls were not done.

Following CB Jake Rudolph's first of two interceptions on the evening, MUS began their next drive at the Eagle 38-yard line.

Needing only 6 plays, the Owls found the endzone again as Keith McBride, who finished the game with 67 yards on 8 carries, ran in from 9-yards out. Christian Kauffman's extra point gave MUS the 27-0 halftime lead.

The starters played one more series coming out of the half, and they made the most of it.

Brunetti's 6-yard pass to Hill culminated a 7-play, 79-yard drive that amassed 2:08 and gave MUS the 33-0 lead following a missed two-point conversion. Hill's touchdown was his thirteenth scoring catch of the season, setting a single-season mark for touchdown receptions.

From this point, Owl coaches substituted liberally, and many players saw action.

QB Toby Baker scored his first touchdown of his varsity career as he snuck in from 1-yard out on MUS' next possession.

And Elliott Bryant scored the last touchdown of the game as he rumbled in from 7-yards out to end the 2-play, 12-yard drive that began after Rudolph's second interception.

The Owls were very efficient in this contest and looked sharp despite the conditions, drizzly and cold, as temperatures hovered in the upper-40's. The team averaged 8.5 yards per play and allowed -1 yards rushing to the Eagles, which had come in averaging over 33 points per game.

With the win, MUS improves to 8-0, 1-0 in the division, while St. Benedict drops to 3-5, 0-1 in the West.

Next week, the Owls return to Stokes Stadium for their final home regular-season game as they take on Christian Brothers. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. next Friday night.

When MUS senior quarterback Barry Brunetti went out of last-Friday-night's game because of injury at the end of the first quarter against White Station, Owl fans had to question whether the team could withstand this loss, especially against such an athletic, powerful team as the Spartans. Fortunately, the team never questioned itself.

Led by three rushing touchdowns from Keith McBride and three more from backup quarterback William Cross, MUS outlasted the speedy Spartans, 55-35, to improve to 7-0 headed into the bye week. White Station falls to 4-2.

Before he was injured, Brunetti had been having an outstanding game. In just one quarter, he accounted for 130 passing yards on six completions and 46 rushing yards. He also added a touchdown as he plunged in from 1-yard out just 2:13 into the game to give the hosts the early 7-0 lead.

After an initial defensive stand, MUS looked as if they were ready to blow the game open as they doubled their lead. McBride's first touchdown run, a 12-yarder, culminated the 4-play, 63-yard drive that amassed only 59 seconds. Christian Kauffman's extra point increased the lead to 14 with 7:38 left in the quarter.

But White Station did not fold. Showing their quick-strike capabilities, QB Anthony Hayes found speedy receiver Julian Bolton streaking down the home sidelines for the 76-yard scoring pass. Patrick McCarthy's PAT cut the lead in half with still over half of the first quarter remaining.

The Owls answered on the next drive, but the possession was costly. Brunetti adroitly led his team down the field, rushing for 26 yards on one play and hitting senior receiver Hank Hill on a 24-yard pass on another. Ultimately, after a quarterback sneak, the hosts got the ball to the Spartan 1-yard line. However, on first down, Brunetti mishandled the snap, leading to a fumble. In diving to recover, Brunetti was injured, and Cross was called on. Though MUS did not get into the endzone, Kauffman did add to the lead as he tacked on a 20-yard field goal to give the Owls the 17-7 advantage as the quarter finally expired.

With Brunetti out, the team could easily pity itself and lose focus, knowing that White Station would have renewed hope.

The Spartans took advantage of the momentum swing as they recovered a fumbled snap on the Owls' next possession, and Rajhan Watkins rumbled 40 yards for the score. McCarthy's PAT shaved the lead to 17-14 early in the second quarter.

But MUS answered with 17 straight points to conclude the half as they showed great resiliency.

First, Kauffman remained perfect on the season as he connected on a 43-yard field goal with 8:14 remaining.

Then, following a Sam-Harris interception, Cross scored, scrambling in from 6-yards out to take advantage of the Spartan mistake.

And after another defensive stand, McBride added his second scoring run of the game, this one from 35-yards out, to give the hosts a 34-14 halftime advantage.

But again, the Spartans came back in the second half.

Burton added his second score of the game as he took a handoff and raced into the endzone from 49-yards out to complete the 6-play, 60-yard drive. McCarthy's extra point cut the lead with 6:28 left in the third.

Yet the Owls answered on their next drive.

On the seventh play of an 80-yard drive, Cross hit Hill on a fade, and the 14-yard scoring reception, Hill's eleventh of the year, gave MUS a 41-21 lead.

And just 1:29 later, McBride, who finished the evening with 194 yards on 20 carries, added his third rushing touchdown as he raced in from 39-yards out. Kauffman's PAT increased the advantage to 48-21.

White Station tried to stay close as Hayes hit Adrian Ross on a 15-yard scoring toss with just 46 seconds remaining in the third quarter to trim the lead to 20 at 48-28.

The Spartans pulled within two scores with 7:12 left in the game as Hayes added a 7-yard scoring run, and after the extra point, they trailed by only 13.

However, they would get no closer.

MUS added one final score as Cross took a keeper and went into the endzone from 32-yards out, all but ending White Station's hope to end the Owls' nineteen-game winning streak.

Despite giving up 384 yards, the Owls' defense stopped White Station when they needed to to give the MUS offense good field position. Relying on their running game and defense, the Owls overcame adversity and injuries to remain perfect on the year by taking the 55-35 victory and evening the series with the Spartans at 5-5-2.

MUS is off next week for Fall Break. They enter conference play October 16 as they travel to St. Benedict to take on the Eagles. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.

The varsity golf team will be headed to the Division II-AA State Golf Tournament next Sunday, October 4, at the Old Fort Golf Club In Murfreesboro.

The team will play two practice rounds before officially beginning the tournament Tuesday.

The Owls, last-year's state runner-up, will look to better their finish as they will bring five players and an alternate, including seniors Holman Moores and Wilson Orr; junior Jerry B. Martin; sophomore Daniel McLeod; freshman Zachary Olsen; and alternate, junior Clifton Jordan.

MUS finished their regular season with a regional-tournament championship, defeating CBHS by five strokes, 298-303. For individual honors, Martin won in a three-way playoff as he birdied the 10th hole, the first sudden-death hole at Quail Ridge.

Good luck to Coach Frisby and the Owls in Murfreesboro.

Led by Barry Brunetti’s five touchdowns, the varsity football team overcame a slow start and ultimately wore down a very-talented East squad to take a 42-16 Homecoming victory and improve to 6-0 on the season.

MUS was up only 14-0 at halftime as East (2-4) controlled the football much of the first half.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Owls scored their first of two touchdowns in the second quarter as Brunetti hit Stephond Allmond from 8-yards out to culminate the 12-play, 72-yard drive that amassed 3:32. Christian Kauffman added the PAT to extend the lead with 10:06 left in the half.

However, the Mustangs had several opportunities to pull even but failed to take advantage of them.

East had the ball in MUS territory on three different possessions in the half but came away with no points each time as the Owl defense held.

The Mustangs’ best opportunity came midway through the second quarter after having held MUS on fourth down at the Owl 17-yard line. But after an East penalty and a sack by senior noseguard Andrew Gardella, the visitors faced a 4th-and-21 at the MUS 28-yard line. As QB Jaszy Parker’s pass fell incomplete, the threat was averted, and East did not threaten again the remainder of the half.

The Owls doubled their lead late in the quarter as Brunetti hit Matt Williams from 29-yards out, ending the 72-yard drive. Kauffman added the extra point as MUS took the 14-0 advantage into the locker room. 

MUS exerted its dominance and took control of the game in the third quarter as the Owls’ no-huddle offense wore down the game Mustangs.

Brunetti’s 2-yard run with 8:23 left in the third quarter and his 41-yard scoring pass to Hank Hill five minutes later broke open the close game as the large Homecoming crowd rejoiced.

East did not give up and showed its quick-strike capability late in the third as RB Brian Kimbrow took a handoff and ran 80 yards for the Mustangs’ first touchdown. After Parker had found Robert Fields for the two-point conversion, East pulled within twenty at 28-8.

But just 85 seconds later, the hosts regained control.

Elliott Bryant culminated a 6-play, 69-yard drive with his 7-yard run. Kauffman remained perfect with the extra point as the Owls led, 35-8.

Each team added one final touchdown in the fourth quarter as the game remained entertaining.

Hill caught his second scoring toss of the evening and tenth of the year as he hauled in a 49-yard touchdown from Brunetti early in the fourth quarter following a short East punt.

But East did not quit as Parker led a drive late in the game. Moving 71 yards in only 4 plays, Parker ended the drive with a touchdown as he scampered in from 18-yards out. He again hit Fields for the two-point conversion to close the advantage to 42-16, but East could get no closer as MUS improved to 13-1 overall against the Mustangs.

Despite the team’s sluggish start, Brunetti again took advantage of big plays as he went 8-13 passing for 195 yards, and he rushed for an additional 91 yards on only 14 carries. His five touchdowns gives his 18 for the season, an average of three scores per game.

Next week is the Owls’ last non-conference test as White Station comes to Stokes Stadium. The Spartans, a 68-36 victor over East earlier in the season, enters with a 4-1 record and will have had two weeks to prepare for MUS. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.

No one can accuse Coach Bobby Alston and his varsity football team from shying away from top-notch competition.

Last Friday night facing Olive Branch, the Commercial Appeal’s second-ranked team and one of the best teams in the state of Mississippi, Alston’s Owls fell behind early but rallied and held on for the 20-15 road victory, marking the team’s second straight victory over the powerful Conquistadors and eighteenth-consecutive triumph overall.

This victory improves the Owls’ record to 5-0 on the year, a record which includes wins over Millington, one of the best teams in Shelby County, and South Panola (MS), a national power.

The Owls definitely do not pad their schedule with easy wins.

But early on, Olive Branch, which was undefeated coming into the affair, looked as if their physical dominance would be too much for the smaller Owls.

Taking the opening kickoff, the Quistors marched down the field and faced a 1st-and-goal at the MUS 10-yard line after only nine plays. But after Wylie Coleman had brought down shifty back Keshun Shipp at the 5-yard line on 3rd-and-goal, MUS had held and forced a field-goal attempt. Though Taylor Earhart connected on the 22-yard attempt, the Owls had to feel fortunate to be down only 3-0 after the impressive 13-play, 6:30 drive.

But MUS could not answer the Olive-Branch score on their first possession, mainly because of mistakes.

On the opening drive, the Owls committed two key penalties, the second being the more costly because it negated a Barry-Brunetti-to-Stephond-Allmond 60-yard scoring toss. After that holding infraction, MUS was forced to punt, and OB looked to build on their lead.

However, the Mississippi hosts were not immune to mistakes either as they also suffered several costly penalties and dropped passes on their next several possessions, allowing the deficit to remain at three headed into the second quarter.

But the turning point of the game came midway through the second quarter as OB was driving.

Facing a 1st-and-18 at the MUS 24-yard line following a holding-penalty, Conquistador quarterback Bryan Steele rolled left and fired towards the endzone, but senior safety Sam Harris was waiting and made a lunging interception to end the threat and give the Owls momentum.

And the offense took advantage.

Beginning at their own 7-yard line with 5:09 left in the half, the Owls needed only 7 plays to score as Brunetti found Hank Hill streaking down the sideline for the 65-yard scoring toss on 3rd-and-14. Christian Kauffman added the PAT to give MUS the 7-3 lead with 2:35 left. From that point, MUS never trailed again.

In the second half, the Owls began to limit their mistakes and took advantage of OB miscues.

MUS extended their lead to 14-3 midway through the third quarter after a short Quistor punt deep in OB territory and 17-yard Forrest-Baty return.

From the OB 17-yard line, MUS needed only two plays to score as Brunetti hit Hill on a crossing route, and the senior receiver made a great grab and tight-roped down the sideline for the touchdown, his eighth of the season. Kauffman’s PAT gave the visitors the 11-point lead.

Kauffman would increase the advantage to 17-3 three minutes later as the Owls continued to take advantage of good field position even though they could not get the ball into the end zone. His 40-yard field goal kept him perfect on the season.

And he would continue his perfect night early in the fourth quarter as he made a 22-yarder to culminate a 10-play, 59-yard drive as MUS began to take control of the game. Though the field goal increased the lead to 17 points, the Owls did not take advantage of several opportunities to score the touchdown as Brunetti fumbled on the 1-yard line on one play, and Elliott Bryant could not hang on to a short pass on 3rd down. Regardless, the Kauffman kick put the Owls ahead by three scores with just 9:25 remaining in the game.

But just as the MUS fans and players started to feel comfortable that they were in complete control, Olive Branch struck back quickly.

With just over 4 minutes left in the game and MUS with the ball at the OB 19-yard line, several reserves began to see action. But on 2nd-and-8 from the OB 17-yard line, a miscommunication sent the shotgun snap past quarterback William Cross’ head, and when OB linebacker Torrey Gill picked it up and rumbled past midfield before being brought down, the hosts had hope.

Two plays later, Todd Mays found Adrian Brown from 28-yards out for the score. The extra point was blocked, but OB had cut the lead to 20-9 with 3:01 left.

Then on the ensuing onside kick, the Conquistadors recovered at the MUS 45-yard line. One play later, Shipp took the screen pass and went into the endzone for the score. Though the two-point conversion was stopped, OB was down by just 5 points at 20-15 with 2:47 remaining.

But the Quistors never saw the ball again. With no times-out left, MUS picked up one first down and ran out the clock, preserving the hard-fought victory over one of Mississippi’s finest.

Unlike last season in which Olive Branch dominated the stat sheet, this game was very even. The key stats were that Olive Branch committed 11 penalties for 106 yards and was only 2 for 10 on third downs, while the Owls converted 7 of their 13 third-down opportunities and had only one turnover, their first of the season.

Next week the schedule gets no easier as East visits Stokes Stadium for Homecoming at MUS. Kickoff for the Owls and Mustangs is set for 7:00 p.m. next Friday night.

Fueled by a 35-point second-quarter outburst, the MUS varsity football team shook off a sluggish start and ultimately took advantage of Overton turnovers as they cruised to the 59-7 victory over the Wolverines, the Owls' seventeenth-consecutive win.

Coming off their 21-19 triumph last week at South Panola, the Owls (4-0) were hoping to avoid a letdown against the winless Wolverines, yet early on, MUS struggled.

Even though the hosts led 10-0 late in the first quarter following Christian-Kauffman's 36-yard field goal and Stephond-Allmond's 3-yard scoring run, Overton (0-3) stayed close late in the quarter. When QB Adrian Fox hit speedy receiver Antonio Dobson for a 34-yard scoring toss with 41 seconds remaining in the quarter, culiminating the 3-play, 47-yard drive, the visitors drew to 10-7 following Jeremy Barr's PAT.

However, that Overton score would be their last.

Taking advantage of four second-quarter turnovers, MUS scored five touchdowns to break open the close game.

Barry Brunetti threw three touchdown passes (38 yards, 14 yards, and 6 yards), all to Hank Hill, and the senior quarterback added a 4-yard scoring run. Coupled with Elliott-Bryant's 4-yard touchdown scamper, the Owls went from being up a field goal at the beginning of the second quarter to taking a 45-7 halftime lead.

In the second half with a running clock, reserves saw action and performed very well.

William Pickering tallied his first career touchdown as he went in from 1-yard out to culminate a 2-play, 9-yard drive late in the third quarter. And Forrest Baty's 40-yard touchdown run closed out the scoring midway through the fourth quarter as MUS won handily.

Despite the slow start, the Owls ultimately ended Overton's hopes for an upset, and they set two records in the process.

The squad's seventeenth-straight win sets a school record for most consecutive victories, besting the sixteen-game streak held from 1966-1968. And Hill's three scoring receptions ties a record for most touchdown catches in a game, last done by Taylor Reed against ECS in 2007.

Next Friday night, MUS heads to Olive Branch, Mississippi, to take on the powerful Conquistadors (3-0). Last season, the Owls defeated Olive Branch, 29-22, in route to their state championship. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. in Mississippi.