Murphy Bulldogs Host Heard County (GA) for the First Time

Bulldogs Are Working To Get First Win

 

By Brandon Stephens

 

(Murphy) – – Work is the focus and goal for Murphy this week.  The Bulldogs (0-and-1, 0-0) are working diligently to correct mistakes from last week’s home opening 33-to-13 loss to the Franklin Panthers (1-and-0).  Franklin suffered a 2-and-8 season last year and it has been expected this would be a rebuilding season.  The reality is the Panthers have a very strong football team with a very talented running back Braydon Hervey and skilled quarterback Anderson Terrell.

 

The Franklin Game

Braydon Hervey is the team leader for Franklin with nearly 200 yards of offense (75 yards in receptions, 122 yards of rushing, and three touchdowns).  Hervey is the key to the Franklin offense with good protection from fellow running back Addix Sutton.  Hervey nearly opened the game with a 90 yard touchdown return on the initial kick-off.  He was stopped at the Murphy 40 yard-line by stepping out of bound, which didn’t stop his march to Touchdown Town for the first score of the game.  Murphy appeared to locked and loaded to match the Panther offensive with a 76-yard touchdown pass from Brady Grant to Ryan Payne.  It would be the only score for the Bulldogs until later in the game when Kadence Leatherwood hit the end zone corner on an 11-yard carry with about 2:30 left to go in the game.

Murphy is working to correct the mistakes it made in the game.  There are several penalties for offensive holding, delay of game, procedure, and an unsportsmanlike conduct call that called back good progress to score.  The Murphy momentum is built on the passing game.  Quarterback Brady Grant completed 12 of 27 passes for 192 yards and a touchdown pass (to Ryan Payne) and made two interceptions.  Grant’s longest pass was 76 yards.  Wide Receiver Ryan Payne led the team with 136 yards on 7 receptions.  Adam Cook had 37 yards on two receptions.  On the ground Will Shore led the team with 62 yards on 9 carries followed by Kadence Leatherwood with 50 yards on 11 carries.  (Game statistics compiled by Team FYN Sports from film review).

Murphy Quarterback Brady Grant says the Bulldogs are working diligently to make corrections and build team unity to face Heard County.

Heard County (GA)

Have you ever “heard” of the Braves in Franklin, Georgia?  Until this year, Heard County High is one of 808 high schools in the Peach State (high-schools.com).  Friday’s game (August 30^th) will be the third game of the season for the Braves.  Heard County is 2-and-0 on the season after a 62-to-0 win over Clarkston and 48-to-14 win over South Atlanta.

Heard County is a typical spread team that may break from the look periodically to run power from an I-formation.  Murphy defense will have to watch two main Brave players.  The Braves are led by running back Dereon Pearson, who lead the team with 123 yards and four touchdowns in the win over South Atlanta.  Pearson is in the running for South Georgia Player of the Week.  Sophomore Quarterback Ethan Tisdale has been very effective in the first two games with 246 yards passing on 13 of 17 completions and one interception.  This team will be balanced and have a great ability to execute through Tisdale standing in shotgun through 99 percent of the game.  He called his own number on 11 plays for two touchdowns and 81 yards of rushing offense in the South Atlanta game last week.  This game was a complete turnaround from last season when South Atlanta defeated Heard County 24-to-21.

Brave defense has limited its opponents to 14 points this season.  Heard County depends on Senior defensive end Riley Chapman, Junior linebacker Jaxon White, and Junior linebacker Max Lasseter (son of Head Coach Shane Lasseter).  The Braves will operate out of a 4-4 defense and cover three.  Heard County likes to meet its opponents in a man coverage.

Murphy Head Football Coach Joseph Watson explains what to expect from Heard County.

Murphy and Heard County will kick the game off at Bob Hendrix Stadium/David Gentry Field at 7:30.  Youth night will be observed Friday night.  Team FYN Sports will stream the game between the Bulldogs and Braves.