History made: MC football team plays its best season since 1946 and captures its first playoff game win
The players and coaches of MC’s football team may not have realized how successful this season would be from their first few games, but the fighting Scots lived up to their name: fighting for a USA South championship win, an impressive 8-1 regular season record and their first ever playoff game victory.
Hard work, ambition and an appetite for victory shown by the athletes this season contributed to their success.
When asked about leading the best season the MC football team has had since 1946, Head Coach Ben Fox said the players and coaches were not focused on this accomplishment, they were more focused on fulfilling their vision of the program.
“All we want to do is make playing football at Maryville College one of the most incredible experiences of our players’ lives,” Fox said. “We have been very blessed to have a special season. Our players and coaches work very hard, and it is fun for them to see the reward of their work.”
These rewards have been widespread. According to Director of Athletics Andrew Wu, the Scots were close to a championship last year, but lost a few important conference games.
“This team has been on an upward trajectory for several years–it’s a testament to the coaching staff and the guys who have been integral to that growth,” Wu said. “I think being close last year made the guys even more hungry for it this time around.”
“We have a lot of really good players and good people.” Fox said about the team, commending their hard work again. “Football is a lot like life–you don’t get what you want, you get what you earn.”
The Scots set out with this mindset–to earn their success this season. The first few games didn’t indicate how the season would eventually play out, especially MC’s early loss (17-14) to Centre College in a game that Wu says we should have won.
“I think the tight loss to Centre was an important gut check,” Wu said. “We made mistakes in that game that cost us, but we took that loss in stride and responded extraordinarily well. We haven’t looked back.”
This momentum took the Scots through the rest of their season without another loss, securing a 9-1 record. This impressive feat has been marked only twice in MC football history–with 1946 as the only other time we saw nine wins.
“At the beginning of the year, I could sense this team was on a mission,” Wu said. “As the season progressed, we tore through the conference. We were playing with a lot of confidence and poise, like a team that can beat anyone. It felt like no one in the USA South was going to get in our way this time around.”
“We were thrilled to win the [USA South] conference championship and earn our way into the playoffs,” Fox said. “Winning the first playoff game in Maryville football history was really special. I am thrilled for [our players].”
The Scots went into the first game of the NCAA Division III Championship, claiming a 20-16 victory over Berry, marking, as Fox mentioned, Maryville’s first ever playoff win.
Berry College won the championship of the Southern Athletic Association, which MC football will join next season, and this win asserts Maryville as a strong player in a more competitive conference. Wu added that capturing this victory at Berry adds to the excitement and energy for Maryville.
“As football steps into the SAA next year, we are clearly stating our expectation to step right in and compete for the trophy,” Wu said. “The whole community seems to be buzzing–alums are excited and showing their pride.”
This season has already made history for MC football, and the excitement from the team, alums, coaches and community members is contagious, especially leading into another playoff game.
“Everyone is excited about the challenge of playing against DePauw,” Fox said before their second playoff game.
The Scots lost to DePauw on Saturday, ending their season against the toughest team they have played all year, according to Fox. This season has been one to remember, even without a second playoff victory to claim.