The varsity football squad closed the regular season last Friday night at home, falling, 46-7, to Briarcrest on Senior Night in a game where the Saints' explosive plays proved decisive. The Owls finished the regular season 6-4 overall and will travel next week to Montgomery Bell Academy in the first round of the playoffs.
Briarcrest (7-3, 4-1) struck early on a 73-yard touchdown run by Darreus McFadden just 18 seconds into the game, then added two more first-quarter scores—both on short runs by McFadden—to take a 21-0 lead. The Saints extended their margin to 28-0 midway through the second quarter on a 40-yard touchdown pass from Hudson Tucker to William Jones. MUS answered with its lone touchdown of the night, a 7-yard pass from Dhilan Madasu to Palmer Albertine, capping a 10-play, 71-yard drive. Briarcrest countered with a 98-yard scoring strike from Tucker to Daylon Donaldson and a 38-yard Garrett Dane field goal before halftime to make it 38-7. McFadden added his fourth rushing touchdown of the night from a yard out early in the fourth quarter, with Tucker's converting the two-point pass to set the final score.
MUS moved the ball effectively at times, totaling 247 yards of offense and 15 first downs while holding the ball for nearly 32 minutes. Madasu completed 19-35 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown. Junior Foster Flaherty led the Owls with 6 catches for 70 yards, while Albertine, Carter Sayle, and Tommie Reed combined for 9 more receptions. On the ground, senior Gavin Gatere contributed 33 yards on 10 attempts, and Flaherty added 28 yards on 5 carries.
Defensively, the Owls produced several backfield stops despite the Saints' efficiency. Haynes Kiser led MUS with 5 tackles, including one for loss, while Kendon Leakes and Dylan Taylor each recorded tackles behind the line. Tanner Sherman added 4 tackles and recovered a fumble, and Dallas Keras, Devin Wells, and Reid McKnett each contributed key plays up front.
The Owls now turn their focus to the postseason, where they'll look to regroup and extend their season on the road next Friday night.
