Murphy Bulldogs Stir Up the Hayesville Yellow Jackets

The Sun Shines on a few Different Dawgs This Week

By Brandon Stephens

 

(Hayesville) – – There is a new excitement of watching the Murphy Bulldogs (5-and-1, 1-and-0) as they demonstrate great skill to play football with the non-traditional team members.  Diversity in strength and skill is more obvious about the Murphy Bulldogs, displayed in the 44-to-0 shutout of Hayesville’s Yellow Jackets (1-and-5, 0-and-1).  Murphy’s offense scored four times, not all touchdowns, and the defense is credited with scoring twice.

Murphy wide receiver Aayden Williams brought fans to their feet on Hayesville’s second possession in the first quarter with a Pick 6.  The beginning moments of the first quarter were shaky for Murphy and Hayesville.  After the Bulldogs scored with running back Cameron Clem with about two minutes left in the first quarter, Yellow Jackets take the ball to the Hayesville 31.  Sophomore quarterback Lance Coker launches an interception to Williams, who quickly goes to Touchdown Town for the Bulldogs second score

Call it an assist, like in basketball, Murphy defensive back Ryan Payne intercepts the next pass from Coker, three plays into Hayesville’s next possession.  Murphy took possession on Hayesville’s 29-yard line, where Cameron Clem scores on Murphy’s fourth play.  Bulldogs come up short on a 2-point conversion.

Coup de grace for the first half is a score from Murphy lineman Charlie Graves.   The Yellow Jackets on the second play, Senior running back Dawson Devane carries on a small sweep and runs into Bulldog defender traffic.  While Devane is trying to spin out of the hands of Janthony Gooden, Brody Orton, and others; Charlie strips the ball and sprints to Touchdown Town.  The game goes to the halftime break, Murphy 27 Hayesville 0.

A little dab will do you.  Murphy defense is a key factor for the efficiency of the Bulldog offense.  Murphy’s offense was on the field in the first half approximately five of the 24 minutes of play time.  Most of the first half, Murphy was in short field position, which resulted in lower numbers in rushing and passing.  A few moments of offense are highly effective.  Murphy had slightly more than 200 yards of rushing offense, half of which was made up by Cameron Clem.  Junior quarterback Brady Grant continues to maintain a 50 percent pass completion rate.  Grant completed 5 of 11 passes for 61 yards.

Murphy kept the ball on the ground in the second half.  The bulldogs scored in the later moments of the third quarter with Senior utility player Kadence Leatherwood on a 3-yard carry and a 32-yard field goal from Junior kicker Jerry Bui.

Big things come in small packages.  Murphy Junior running back Way Herron took momentum from a final interception by Junior defensive back Dalton Farmer.  Bulldog Junior running back Brody McFadden lit the fuse with a 10-yard run from the Hayesville 41-yard line.  Herron carried the ball the rest of the way to the end zone.  Final score, Murphy 44 Hayesville 0.

Murphy Defense Shows its Intensity

Murphy defense has recorded its first shutout of the season with the win over Hayesville.  Junior lineman Janthony Gooden says the Murphy win was built on good preparation and coming to the game ready to play.

Brady Grant echoes Gooden’s comments.  Grant says the Bulldogs did work to defend against Hayesville and executed well.

Mistakes Murphy has been working to eliminate appeared a few times in the game ranging from holding, false starts, and pass interference calls.  Overall, when the defense scores a couple of touchdowns and the offense shines, Coach Joseph Watson is pleased.  Concluding the game, it was very obvious to Watson, the sun was shinning on a few Bulldogs you may not expect to make flashy plays.

Murphy will be on the road this week for Smoky Mountain Conference (SMC) game two at Robbinsville (2-and-4, 1-and-0).  The Black Knights handed the Cheroke Braves (3-and-3, 0-and-1) a 46-to-16 loss Friday.  The Bulldogs lead the series with Robbinsville 45-to-26 (records dating back to 1960).  Last season, Robbinsville stopped a late game come-back to win 26-to-21.  During the last decade Robbinsville has been leading the series 10-to-6 over Murphy.  During this time, the Bulldogs and Black Knights have met more than once during some seasons in the SMC schedule and in the playoffs.

Hayesville will travel to Swain County (0-and-5, 0-and-1).  Swain County has been challenged with injuries.  The Maroon Devils have been utilizing younger players with less experience and moving skilled players to other positions.  Over the past five games, Swain has scored 26 points and been shutout twice.  This past week, Swain suffered a 2-to-0 loss to Andrews.  The game displayed lots of defense by the Maroon Devils and Wildcats.  Swain had two probable scoring plays called back with holding calls.

Stay connected to Team FYN Sports this week for more information on games in the SMC.

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