MUS quarterback fires late Hail Mary to escape Bartlett with season-opening win
By Omar Al- Kotob
Special to West10/Legacy Media
On Friday night the Memphis University School Owls narrowly pulled out the season-opener against the Bartlett Panthers.
As time was ticking down on the Panther Stadium scoreboard, the Owls were in position for a Hail Mary. The tie-breaking 55-yard touchdown pass with 3.8 seconds on the clock, transformed the 17-17 deadlock to a 23-17 MUS victory.
Bartlett produced numbers worthy of winning with Panthers quarterback Patrick Sadler throwing for 282 yards. The Bartlett backfield rushed for 117 yards, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win.
The Owls (1-0) marched to midfield in the final seconds with the Hail Mary pass finding Sam Gallo in the end zone.
Last year when the two teams met the Panthers (0-1) stomped the Owls 41-17.The 2025 opener was a special victory for the Owls.
“We wanted to avenge last year,” said MUS signal caller Charlie Hottinger, who threw the 55-yard game-winning pass.
That wasn’t the only highlight of Friday’s game, Owls defensive back Cannon Sherman intercepted a deep Panthers pass in the second quarter and ran 66 yards to score a touchdown giving the Owls the momentum.
“We got a motto here at MUS, ‘I Believe,’” said Hottinger.
The Owls hope to carry this momentum into their next game on Friday against Northpoint Christian. When MUS Head Coach Mark Chuck was asked about the thrilling Bartlett game he said, “I thought both sides fought hard, and I’m happy we made the play at the end that we needed to make.”
The Panthers look to bounce back with a challenge at Germantown this Friday.
