A special report by the voice of the Murphy Bulldogs- J.R. Carroll!

On the first play of Murphy’s first possession, Murphy quarterback, Kellen Rumfelt, rolled out and found Peyton McCracken for a 72 yard. With 8:54 left in the game Murphy led 6-0 as the extra point attempt was wide. 

Rumfelt and McCracken would connect two more times before the night was through, leading Murphy to a 45-28 win over a very talented group of athletes from Life Christian Academy. 

Murphy quarterback Kellen Rumfelt rolls out for a touchdown pass. Image credit: hudl

Late in the first quarter LCA took advantage of a Murphy fumble and struck on a 7 yard touchdown with a minute left. The two point conversion failed and the score was tied at 6-6 at the end of the first. 

Murphy didn’t let it stay that way long. With only two minutes gone in the second quarter, Ray Rathburn hit paydirt from 10 yards out. Devonte Murray added a two point conversion to take a 14-7 lead. LCA didn’t take long to tie it up with two pass plays, the last being a 21 yard touchdown pass. 

LCA added another two point conversion to tie it again at 14-14 with 8 minutes to go in the first half. Murphy followed that up with a one yard sneak by Rumfelt with 5 minutes to go in half. Two point conversion failed and Murphy led 20-14. LCA scored two minutes later with a 19 yard pass. They missed on their two point conversion and the score was again tied at 20-20.

Murphy had seen enough of the lead changes and took the lead for good with two minutes to go in the half when Rumfelt and McCraken connected again for a 6 yard touchdown pass. Point attempt was good and Murphy led 27-20 at the half.

A Murphy Bulldogs receiver takes it to the house. Image credit: hudl

Murphy took the opening kick of the second half and Devonte Murray, who rushed for 15 times for 124 yards on the night, got 50 plus of those yards to set the Dogs up for their first score of the second half. A couple of plays later the Rumfelt to McCraken connection hit paydirt again from 12 yards out. The conversion failed and Murphy led 33-20. 

The Dogs never relinquished the lead again. Ray Rathburn, who was the leading rusher for the Dogs with 153 yards, scored from 55 yards out later in the third. LCA’s lone second half score came with a 6 yard run for touchdown and a two point conversion to bring the score to Murphy 39, LCA 28. Devonte Murray would seal the deal when he had a three yard touchdown late in the third to net the final Murphy 45, LCA 28.

Rumfelt finished the night with 5 completions for 9 attempts for 102 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for a touchdown. The Dogs had two 100 yard rushers- Rathburn and Murray.

Murphy opens Smoky Mountain Conference action this Friday night when they travel to Andrews. Kickoff 7:30 p.m.