Homecoming week is always a special time for students, alumni, and fans of McDowell High School. This year, the MHS sports teams added to the excitement by delivering some impressive performances in football, soccer, and tennis.
Football Team Snaps Losing Streak with Thrilling Win
The MHS football team ended a four-game losing streak with a thrilling 28-27 victory over rival Freedom on Friday night. The Titans trailed 27-21 with less than two minutes left in the game, but quarterback Tyler Moore led a 75-yard drive that culminated in a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Smith with 16 seconds remaining. The extra point by Evan Smith gave the Titans the lead and the win.
The Titans improved to 2-4 overall and 1-1 in the Northwestern 3A/4A Conference. Moore finished the game with 217 passing yards and three touchdowns, while Smith had six catches for 103 yards and two scores. The defense also stepped up, forcing three turnovers and sacking Freedom’s quarterback four times.
Soccer Team Extends Winning Streak to Six Games
The MHS soccer team continued its dominant run with two convincing wins over Patton and Freedom during homecoming week. The Titans defeated Patton 6-0 on Monday and Freedom 5-1 on Wednesday, extending their winning streak to six games and their unbeaten streak to eight games.
The Titans are now 9-2-1 overall and 6-0 in the conference, leading the standings by four points. The offense has been unstoppable, scoring 31 goals in the last six games, while the defense has been solid, allowing only four goals in the same span. Luis Hernandez leads the team with 15 goals and eight assists, followed by Ethan Greene with nine goals and six assists.
Tennis Team Clinches Conference Title with Perfect Record
The MHS tennis team clinched its third consecutive conference title with a perfect 12-0 record after defeating Patton 9-0 on Tuesday and Freedom 8-1 on Thursday. The Titans have won 36 straight conference matches dating back to 2020.
The Titans have been dominant in both singles and doubles, winning all but one match in both categories this season. Emma Carter is the team’s number one player, followed by Anna Grace Greenlee, Morgan Reel, Katie Ellis, Abby Burleson, and Maddie Finley. The doubles teams are Carter/Greenlee, Reel/Ellis, and Burleson/Finley.
The Titans will compete in the conference tournament on Monday and Tuesday at Freedom High School, where they hope to qualify for the regional and state tournaments.
