Murphy Bulldogs and Robbinsville Black Knights Battle in the Second Round of the 1-A State Football Playoffs

74th Meeting Between the Bulldogs and Black Knights to Determine Black Friday Game

 

By Brandon Stephens

 

(Murphy) – – Murphy Bulldogs (11-and-1, 5-and-0) and the Robbinsville Black Knights (7-and-6, 4-and-1) playing football in the third round of the 1-A football playoff is about the only thing keeping fans in Cherokee and Graham County away from Black Friday shopping and eating more turkey and dressing.  This game will be the 74th meeting, dating back to 1960 between these two opponents with Murphy leading the series 46-26-1.  This season will be the fifth time in the last seven years these two team have face one another in regular season and in the playoffs.  

Robbinsville has won 3 of its last 4 games leading up to this week’s battle with Murphy.  The Black Knights are rolling through the last three games with shutouts, or near shutouts, with wins over Swain County (17-to-0), to finish the regular season, Thomasville (20-to-7), to begin the playoffs, and Bessemer City (19-to-0) in last week’s game.

Murphy is on an 11 game win streak, dating back to its second game of the season.  Recently the Bulldogs have choked the opponent going back a similar number of games.  Murphy shutout Andrews 35-to-0, and would have shut out Cherokee (35-to-6) if the Bulldogs didn’t allow a late score by the Braves.  After an Idle week, Murphy crushed Highland Tech High 62-to-6.  The Bulldogs started the game on fire against Christ the King High and let the heat die as the game progressed to finish with a 21-to-11 win.  

Bulldog and Black Knight fans are probably wrestling with each other pulling on the turkey wishbone to defeat the rival opposition and advance to the fourth round of playoffs.  The bigger portion of the wishbone will be broken off by the team that presents a solid defense.  Both teams are very stingy with the number of points its defense will allow, especially through the line across tackle or the B gaps.  

Getting the offensive action going may depend on the use of buck and jet sweeps, but look for a passing game to be useful.  Both Murphy and Robbinsville quarterbacks have tightened up their performance to hit their man on a screen.  Murphy has had good defensive coverage to stop the pass and intercept during the last few weeks.  

The underdog in this game is the Robbinsville Black Knights.  This game, as well as when these two teams play Swain County, is the hardest hitting and most physically demanding meetings.  Robbinsville is determined and ready to play this game utilizing a new back field with Isia Collins and Quinn Jumper, who have fallen into place and helped unify the Black Knights.  

It’s a golden year for Murphy winning 11 straight games; taking the Smoky Mountain Conference title for the first time in six years; and making some earlier changes in offense due to injury.  

The game may not produce a lot of points if the Black Knight and Bulldog defensive units do the job expected by leadership.  The cold and wet conditions waiting on the players will slow a few efforts on each side.  This week, Murphy Junior lineman Janthony Gooden says the game will be rough and tough, but Murphy is ready.

Both teams have been known for good ground games and have their bread and butter schemes for Friday night.  There is always a new twist and new play to throw the opponent off track according to Chandler Nernes.

The practice week is good for Murphy Head Football Coach Joseph Watson.  The rivalry may have fans stoked for a good meeting, but it’s business to get closer to playing for a state title for Coach Watson.

The Murphy versus Robbinsville game will kick off at 7:30 PM at Bob Hendrix Stadium/David Gentry Field.  Stay connected to Team FYN Sports for details on this game.  Team FYN Sports will live stream the game at FYNTV.com.

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