Murphy Bulldogs Versus Cherokee Braves – Senior Players Honored

By Brandon Stephens

(Murphy) – – There is a lot on the line for the Murphy Bulldogs (8-and-1, 4-and-0, 1^st Place in the Smoky Mountain Conference – SMC) and the Cherokee Braves (6-and-3, 3-and-1, 3^rd in the SMC).  The Bulldogs want to post an SMC Conference Championship on the big boards at Bob Hendrix Stadium/David Gentry Field.  The last SMC Championship was 2018, also a State Championship year.  The Braves have the opportunity to finish the season strong with a win and possibly finish 2^nd or make possible ties in the finishing for the SMC.

Murphy has opportunity for individuals to continue to build on their season performance.  After running five touchdowns and racking up nearly 300 yards in the Andrews game, Sophomore running back Cameron Clem has crossed the 1,000-yard mark for the season, and the season isn’t over.  Kadence (Barracuda) Leatherwood leads the Bulldogs tackling with almost 120 on the season.  Behind Leatherwood are Jude Pinkerton, Brody Orton, Will Shore, and Charlie Graves.  Even though Landen Lape was out for several weeks with a back injury, he remains near the top ten in tackling.

The final key to this football game, may be within the quarterbacks.  Murphy’s Brady Grant and Cherokee’s Jonathan Saylor have had their moments to sling the ball.  Saylor completed seven of 13 passes for 99 yards, and was intercepted three times.  Grant completed three of seven passes for 11 yards and one interception.  Both have been hurried and caused some complications to make the plays happen.

Cherokee defeated the Swain County Maroon Devils (0-and-8, 0-and-4, 6^th place in SMC) 27-to-14 at Cherokee High’s Kinsland Stadium.  Brave’s Senior running back Brandon Santiago had a stellar night against Swain County with 138 yards rushing on 18 carries (8 yards per carry) and three touchdowns.  Cherokee used five different running backs to move the ball 212 yards on 35 plays.  Friday’s game will be the 49^th meeting between Murphy and Cherokee with the Bulldogs leading the series 44-to-4.  The last time Cherokee defeated Murphy was in 2007 in a 27-to-21 game.  Cherokee had a 40-to-19 win over Murphy in 2006.  Senior running back Will Shore says the Braves will be similar to Swain County’s hard-hitting approach to this game.

Defending the Cherokee Braves will be a chore for the Murphy defense.  The passing game may be one of the options the Braves use to move the ball on the Bulldogs.  Senior defensive back and tight end Kenyon Nichols talks about the work needed to stop Cherokee.

SALUTE TO THE MURPHY BULLDOG SENIORS

Friday night is the last home regular season game for the Murphy Bulldogs.  Next week on Friday, November 8^th, the Bulldogs will take the night off.  So, this last regular season home game, Murphy is honoring is Senior players and family prior to the game.  We asked the Seniors two questions: 1) What is a good memory or share your thoughts about how special it has been to be a Murphy Bulldog; 2) What are your future plans once you finish football or graduate. Murphy Head Football Coach Joseph Watson gave us his comments on this week’s game with Cherokee and how valued the Seniors are and have been to the season.

#4 Adam Cook – Wide Receiver/Defensive Back

#6 Jonah Hedden – Running Back/Defensive Back

#30 Chandler (Steve) Nernes – Wide Receiver/Defensive Back

#35 Kadence Leatherwood – Running Back/Linebacker

#54 Charlie Graves – Offensive/Defensive Lineman

#56 Jaxon Kasa – Offensive Lineman/Linebacker

#58 Waylon Spivey – Offensive/Defensive Lineman

#78 Carson Phillips – Offensive Lineman-Center

Congratulations for the accomplishments and games they have made contributions to having a memorable 2024 season.

Final Word – in Cherokee

This game will be played on November 1^st, which is the first day of American Indian Heritage Month.  Your Cherokee word to Murphy fans is Gi-Li E-Qua.  It’s pronounced Gee-Lee A-gwa.  It means Big Dog. 

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