Memphis University School has prioritized its player development, and the results paid off on Oct.16.
In the second quarter of MUS’ matchup at Memphis Central,
sophomore quarterback Cullen Hayden rifled a pass over the middle of the field to senior tight end Foster Flaherty. The experienced pass catcher extended his left arm and caught the pass in traffic with one hand. His momentum carried him into the end zone for a touchdown.In the third quarter, another sophomore quarterback, Jack Hill, fired a pass over the middle of the field into the hands of senior wide receiver John Painter. Painter maneuvered past the Central defensive backs and scored a touchdown to extend the Owl's advantage.
MUS defeated previously unbeaten Memphis Central 42-21.
The Owls’ offense scored its most points in a game this season while the sophomore quarterbacks continue to improve each week.
“In any season, the goal is to get hot at the end,” MUS coach Mark Chubb said after the win. “Your goal is to be playing your best football at the end of the season. That’s what I’m taking from this game. We’re getting better, and our young players are starting to get better.”
Hill is the primary starter of the two quarterbacks, having totaled more than 1,000 yards in 2026. Chubb was excited to see both of his young quarterbacks get action again. Despite being winless through three DII-AAA games, he's stayed the course, both players have attempted a pass in at least seven games in 2026.
“The message: Keep getting better,” Chubb said. “Keep focusing on ourselves, and I think this is a product of the guys listening and doing that.”
MUS (4-4) made its mark against the Warriors (7-1) at the line of scrimmage, winning the battle on both sides of the ball. Hill ran for multiple touchdowns and played without fear when carrying the ball to the outside. Over time, he has become more accustomed to the speed of high-level football.
“The game has just slowed down the more I played,” Hill said. “I feel like I’ve gotten more confident in my reads and the preparation that goes into each week.”
The Owls maximized their opportunity to play one final non-region game before facing rivals Christian Brothers and Briarcrest to finish the TSSAA regular season. Hill noted his excitement about going up against programs led by high-level quarterbacks Nate Brickand Cayden Dixon.
For Chubb, the final two games of the regular season are a chance for his team to capitalize on its recent growth. Despite sitting at the bottom of the DII-AAA standings, MUS’ point differential is minus-30, well ahead of Father Ryan and only 11 points behind CBHS.
“Next week is kind of like the big game,” Hill said. “But this gives us a lot of confidence going into that.”
Region matchups against CBHS and Briarcrest are set to end after 2026, with MUS and CBHS opting out of playing a region schedule for the upcoming TSSAA reclassification cycle, which begins in 2027. MUS can still schedule both opponents, though, as non-region games.
For now, however, the Owls aren’t worried about anything that doesn’t happen between the lines.
“We don’t focus on the outside noise. We just focus on ourselves and getting better,” Chubb said. “Hopefully, we’re going to be able to carry this into next week and the next week.”
Reach The Commercial Appeal's high school writer, Ryan Myers at ryan.myers@commercialappeal.com and on the X platform @RyanMyers_23.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: How MUS football handed Memphis Central first loss of 2026 TSSAA season
