A Strong Breaz(eale) Lifts the Murphy Bulldogs Past the Robbinsville Black Knights

Smashmouth Play + Penalties + Rush = Thrilling Football at Big Oaks

By Brandon Stephens

 

(Robbinsville) – – Weather is calm and crisp at the Robbinsville (2-and-5, 1-and-1) versus Murphy (6-and-1, 2-and-0) football game.  A strong breeze, Murphy Junior defensive end Camden Breazeale, blows a pitch-out from Robbinsville Senior quarterback Bryce Adams to Senior running back Roman Jones into Touchdown Town to give the Bulldogs the 14-to-seven win.  The Bulldogs were trailing the Black Knights 7-to-6 spiraling down to the 7:53 point in the fourth quarter, when Breazeale made the pick-6.  Murphy hit Junior receiver Ryan Payne in the back of the end zone for 2-point conversion to make the final score.

The anticipation of this game has been boiling to a dramatic point by the time kick-off occurred you could cut the tension with a butter knife.  It’s not surprising the Black Knight fans went to their feet when Roman Jones made the 2-yard run to the end zone with one second left in the first quarter to take the early lead over Murphy.

The Jones touchdown stirred the Bulldogs to launch a 12-play possession at the end of the second quarter.  Murphy Senior running back Jonah Hedden led the rush down to the Robbinsville 8-yard line along with a couple of good passes from Junior quarterback Brady Grant to Ryan Payne.  Before Hedden could make the trip to Touchdown Town, he was injured and out for the remainder of the game.  Grant floats a pass into Senior tight end Kenyon Nichols.  Nichols was expected to be out of the game with an injured quadricep.  The point-after-touchdown kick was blocked by Robbinsville.  The score was Robbinsville 7 Murphy 6 until the fourth quarter when Breazeale made the final score of the night to get a final 14-to-seven win for the Bulldogs.

 

The Game

The opening moments of the game had the Black Knights and Bulldogs trying to find offensive momentum to score and juke the opposing defense.  The first four possessions between the two were fruitless until Murphy’s second possession.  Brady Grant launched a pass from the 33-yard line that was intercepted and set up Robbinsville’s touchdown by Roman Jones.

Robbinsville and Murphy kept the ball on the ground for the next two possessions that resulted in a punt.  Time melted away as the Bulldogs marched a dozen plays in six minutes for the touchdown.  The Black Knights lead at the halftime 7-to-6.

The second half offensively was a near repeat of the first half with both sides making some strides with the rushing game.  Both sides struggled with the pass.  Murphy’s Brady Grant completed 4 of 9 passes for 56 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.  Robbinsville’s Bryce Adams went 2 of 12 for 27 yards and an interception.  The run game, which has been the bread and butter for both teams.  The rush for the Black Knights was productive for 162 yards on 37 carries, including a touchdown.  Murphy carried 32 times for 130 yards.  Robbinsville Senior running back Cooper Adams let the Black Knights with 17 carries for 70 yards.  Murphy was led by Sophomore running back Cameron Clem with 15 carries for 80 yards.

Penalties kept both teams moving back.  There were approximately 18 penalties for 190 yards.  Murphy was flagged at least 11 times for 105 yards.  Robbinsville was flagged 8 times for 85 yards, approximately.

Murphy’s Camden Breazeale described the intensity of the game and the pick-6.

Murphy’s Brady Grant says the game was tough with surprising moments.

The Murphy defense made its mark in the game for a second week in a row.  Coach Joseph Watson says the Bulldogs worked diligently to get through tough plays, injuries, and penalties.

Murphy is the Smoky Mountain Conference leader after the win over Robbinsville.  The Bulldogs will host the last three games in the season beginning this coming week with Swain County.  The Maroon Devils are looking for the first win of the season after falling to 0-and-6 and 0-and-2 in the SMC after a 7-to-12 loss to Hayesville (2-and-5, 1-and-1) this past Friday night.  Hayesville is 5^th in the SMC and Swain in last place at 6^th.

Robbinsville is third in the conference after its loss to Murphy.  The Black Knights will travel to Andrews (4-and-2, 1-and-1).  The Andrews Wildcats were shut out by the Cherokee Braves (4-and-3, 1-and-1).  Andrews is 2^nd in the conference and Cherokee is in 4^th place.

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

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