The Owensboro football program defeated Muhlenberg County 62-6 on a rainy Thursday night at Rash Stadium. The Red Devils defense forced multiple turnovers early, setting their explosive running game to get on the board early.
The onslaught continued through the first half with Owensboro (5-3, 4-0 in district) sprinkling in some screen passes and shuffle passes to keep Muhlenberg’s (3-5, 0-4 in district) defense guessing. The Red Devils amassed a 43-0 lead and forced a running clock heading into halftime.
Owensboro head coach Jay Fallin said their goal for the night was to stay sharp and remain aggressive entering Fall break.
“We knew we just needed to come out, execute, and take care of business,” Fallin said. “It was a short week with only one real work day, and I think our kids handled that challenge well.”
With Fall break falling on a bye week, he said they will use the time to recover and prepare physically and mentally for the second half of the season.
“We place high demands on these guys, and it’s been a grind. Football is a year-round sport, and we’ve really been grinding since July 10,” he said. “After some tough losses, we’ve won three in a row and swung it back in the other direction, but everybody needs a minute to have some distance – not just physically, but mentally too.”
Muhlenberg began the game with possession, securing their only first down of the half on a long run by Hunter Baker. The success was short-lived, as they fumbled it two possessions later, setting the Red Devils’ Dereon Crowe up for a 22-yard touchdown run down the sideline.
Turnovers continued to plague the Mustangs, as another fumble set up an impressive 21-yard touchdown run for Evan Hampton. Less than 2 minutes later, Crowe and Hampton pieced together explosive runs to set up a 3-yard touchdown run up the middle for Hampton.
Owensboro kept the pedal to the medal, with Javion Robinson taking a short pass from Trevor Delacey 47 yards for a touchdown. Owensboro followed with a successful 2-point conversion run by Delacey and a 29-0 lead with 2:58 left in the first quarter.
Mere minutes into the second quarter, Hampton found the endzone for a third time on a 22-yard run up the middle.
The Mustangs struggled to find a first down, punting the ball back to Owensboro. They posed the Red Devils with their first bit of adversity of the evening on two deep sacks, but it wasn’t enough, as Delacey found Morris for a 37-yard touchdown reception and a 43-0 lead entering the half.
Responding to adversity, especially early in the season, has been an emphasis for the Red Devils.
“We need to get ready to finish and spring into the playoffs with a lot of momentum,” Fallin said. “I think a lot of people had us dead, but even after week four and people said the season was a bust, we’ve shown we still have life in us, and we still have fight in us, and we’re intending to prove people wrong.”
Crowe opened the second half with an impressive 53-yard touchdown run, his third of the night. Sophomore running back Jaxon James followed with a 22-yard touchdown before JaShawn Carr recovered a fumble and took it 45 yards for a touchdown, giving Owensboro a 62-0 nothing lead.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Mustangs found their first bit of magic when freshman Colton Harris returned it 85 yards with time expiring in the final frame.
Owensboro returns to action on October 20, when they will make the trip to Madisonville North Hopkins for their last district contest of the season. They then conclude the season with rival Henderson County on the 27th at home, where they’ll celebrate 100 years of memories at Rash Stadium. Fallin expects a large crowd of alumni, family, and friends.
