MUS vs. Brentwood Academy: 3 things to know
Memphis University School will square off against three-time defending state champion Brentwood Academy in Friday's 7 p.m. Division II-AAA BlueCross Bowl at Tennessee Tech's Tucker Stadium.
Here are three things to know before the Owls and Eagles kick off:
MUS' last time in BlueCross Bowl was 2013
Friday will mark MUS’ first BlueCross Bowl appearance since 2013, which also happens to be the last time a non-Nashville area school reached the state championship in the TSSAA’s largest Division II classification.
The last time they were here, the Owls squandered a 10-0 halftime lead against Ensworth, eventually suffering a 27-10 defeat to Corn Elder and the four-time champion Tigers.
“We were here in 2013 and lost a game that I don’t want to say we should have won, but one that we thought we had won,” said coach Bobby Alston, who has compiled a 154-77 record in 21 seasons at MUS. “So it’s good to be back.”
Brentwood Academy (10-2) will also be looking to claim its fourth straight championship. The Eagles are looking to become just the fourth program to do so, joining Alcoa, Maryville and Ensworth.
Maurice Hampton is an LSU commitment
MUS, which has outscored its first 11 opponents 406-93, doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses. Their biggest strength, however, is without a doubt senior Maurice Hampton.
Hampton has hauled in 50 receptions for 1,126 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Owls (11-0), and the Division II-AAA Mr. Football award recipient has 26 tackles with a sack, an interception and eight pass breakups.
The two-sport LSU commitment has also made his presence felt in the return game, where he has 620 yards and three scores.
The team’s leading tackler, three-star senior linebacker and 2016 Mr. Football recipient Dorien Hopkins, has committed to Tulsa. Juniors Marcus Henderson and Devonte Nelson have several Power-5 offers.
Henderson, a 6-foot-4, 315-pound offensive tackle, has offers from more than a dozen FBS programs, including Alabama, Ohio State and Tennessee. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Nelson, who has 35 tackles, an interception and 13 pass breakups at cornerback, holds offers from Arkansas, Louisville, Memphis, Ole Miss and Tennessee.
MUS QB Sellers Shy
Hampton may garner most of the offensive attention, but his production wouldn’t be possible without consistent play from the quarterback position.
The Owls have gotten that and then some from Sellers Shy.
“We thought he had a chance to be good, but we didn’t realize he’d play at the level he’s playing,” Alston said. “He has always been a very smart kid and knew how to play. I think he’s in a good structure for his skillset, and we kept the core guys around him.”
The 6-foot-2, 175-pound senior has completed 147 of 248 passes for 2,489 yards with 23 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He has also rushed for 10 touchdowns, averaging a score every 4.5 carries.
"Last year I don't know if they had someone who could really get those guys involved," Eagles coach Cody White said. "(Shy) certainly can, and he can also take over a game himself."
Reach Michael Murphy at mfmurphy@tennessean.com, 615-2598026, and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.