Photo courtesy of BT Douthit

 

The Murphy Bulldogs faced the Cherokee Braves on senior night Friday night, in the Dogs last home game of this shortened season.

The Dogs came into the game 5-0 and riding a 50 point offensive performance in their previous game in which the beat Rosman.

Cherokee came into the game 2-3, trying to get to .500 on the year and squeeze into the playoffs.

The Braves were no match for the Dogs however, as Murphy poured it on and won the game 43-21.

Sophomore Running Back Ty Laney started things off for the Bulldogs, scoring back to back Touchdowns in the first quarter that put his team up 14-0.

Cherokee QB Don Bradley answered back in the 2nd however, tossing a TD pass to wideout Chase Calhoun.

It wasn’t long before the other Sophomore RB in the Dogs backfield got started though, as John Ledford punched one in from 47 yards out. Annie-Kate Dalton then hit a 27 yard Field Goal that sent the Dogs into the locker room with a 24-7 lead at the half.

The third quarter didn’t see much action. Ty Laney of the Bulldogs and Anthony Allison of the Braves traded scores and it was 30-14 Murphy headed into the Fourth.

In the Fourth quarter, Ty Laney scored his 4th and final touchdown of the night, which was followed by a 68 yard punt return TD for Juan Allen that put Murphy up 43-14. Cherokee found the endzone one more time before the night was over, yet the Dogs prevailed 43-21.

Murphy will travel to Robbinsville on Friday night to play the defending State Champion Black Knights in the Smoky Mountain Conference Championship game.