Murphy Bulldogs 2024 Season a GOLD and Black Season

Season Ends at Burnsville in the Round of the Elite Eight

 

By Brandon Stephens

 

(Murphy) – – There is gold in the 2024 Murphy Football season (12-and-2, 5-and-0).  The sting of losing 26-to-8 to the Mountain Heritage Cougars (12-and-0, 4-and-0) in Round Four of the Playoffs is still fresh. Murphy’s offensive performance was not typical leading up to the game against the Cougars.  Defensively, the Bulldogs held the Cougars 12-to-8 at halftime and a scoreless Third Quarter.  Mountain Heritage has averaged 46 points on its opponents.  

There is an early thought by many that the 2024 season would not be memorable or would have challenges that may make a tough ride through the playoffs.  The first game of the season, which was a 33-to-13 loss to Franklin, was disheartening.  The Panthers were not expected to be the powerful team it turned out to be.  The next games against Heard County (GA), West Henderson, and Smoky Mountain, which are really good teams, were played close.  

Bulldog Prowess.  Beginning play in the Smoky Mountain Conference (SMC) Murphy worked on several mistakes and perfected its execution to be a more unified and stronger team.  The Bulldogs remained one of the most penalized teams in the region and stepped past the yellow laundry on the field.  

So let’s look at the accomplishments of the team and some of the individuals from this Golden Season.

• The Win Streak – A 12-game win streak isn’t bad for any team.  After the Franklin loss, Murphy built confidence and strength through the non-conference schedule, to leave most opponents in the dust.
• 2024 SMC Champions – Murphy is undefeated in the SMC conference at 5-and-0.  The most challenging game is the Robbinsville game.  A defensive duel is probably a better way to describe the meeting between the Black Knights and Bulldogs.  Murphy’s defense scored the winning touchdown when Camden Breazeale intercepted a Robbinsville quick pitch and danced into Touchdown Town.  Murphy hung a ‘24 on the scoreboard after the win over Cherokee, which clinched the Championship.  2024 SMC Championship is the first in six years.
• Elite Eight (Fourth Round of the NCHSAA 1-A Playoffs) – The Bulldogs have been in the fourth round of the playoffs five times in the ten previous seasons leading up to 2024.  The last time Murphy is a member of the Elite Eight is 2021 (Fall Season).  The previous seasons were 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020-2021, and 2021.

• Don’t Cross This Line or its WETSU – The Murphy defense is central to building a winning season.  The men in the trenches did work to pancake, sack, hurry, and intercept.  Charlie Graves, Janthony Gooden, Camden Breazeale, Brody Orton, Landen Lape, Kadence Leatherwood, and Jude Pinkerton kept the lines airtight.  More than once the defense scored by the Bulldogs on the defensive line.  Who can forget a Brody Orton sack or the interception.  Charlie Graves made cowbells ring when he stripped the ball, and once scored a touchdown.  Don’t forget the secondary!  Aayden Williams, Ryan Payne, Will Shore, Kenyon Nichols, Chandler Nernes did work to intercept or make stops.  A time or two, defense scored by returning a punt to Touchdown Town.

• • • Murphy Defense allowed an average of 16 points per game to opponents.  The ten year average leading up to 2024 is 19 points per game.
    • Going into the Mountain Heritage game the teams top five defensive players with respect to tackles (including all tackle categories) are:
      • Kadence Leatherwood – 148
      • Brody Orton – 128
      • Will Shore – 102
      • Charlie Graves – 94
      • Jude Pinkerton – 91

• Next Man Up – Injuries hurt a team and sometimes drown the fighting spirit to win.  Starters that had season ending injuries including Jonah Hedden, Adam Cook, Carson Phillips, Janthony Gooden, and Sheldon Owens make up a critical list of players with skill to do work for the Bulldogs.  The team also missed several weeks from Landen Lape.  A skilled group of back up players helped keep Murphy winning.

• The Rush to Victory – The bread and butter for Murphy has been the run.  Cameron Clem leads the Bulldogs with more than 1700 yards and 25 touchdowns going into the Mountain Heritage game.  Clem is followed by Will Shore with 600 yards and Kadence Leatherwood with 500 yards.  From time to time, Brady Grant left his quarterback post to make impressive carries, including a few touchdowns that saved a drive or two.

• The Pass – Brady Grant led the SMC with passing with more than 1200 yards and 11 touchdown connections.  Grant had easy targets like Ryan Payne, who twisted and caught impressive passes, including a two-point conversion at Robbinsville.  An impressive chemistry is between Grant and Senior tight end Kenyon Nichols, which accounted for a few of the near dozen touchdown passes.  Include Will Shore to round out the top receivers to make Murphy a serious passing threat to opponents.

The Murphy Bulldogs did not make the state championship game, which is the hope and eventual goal for the team.  Speaking during the 2023-2024 winter sports season to Will Shore, getting to the state championship is the goal for the coming fall season.  Having a good vision builds the desire and spirit needed to carry the team to its final point at 12-and-2 and fourth round of the state playoff.  Senior center Carson Phillips reflected on the season for the senior leaders.  

SMC ALL CONFERENCE

Being named as a member of the SMC All Conference roster is an honor.  Murphy had 14 players named as All Conference or an honorable mention.  

 

• Kenyon Nichols – Senior Tight End/Defensive Back
• Cameron Clem (Back of the Year) – Sophomore Running Back
• Kadence Leatherwood – Senior Fullback/Linebacker
• Jerry Bui – Junior Kicker
• Camden Breazeale – Junior Defensive End/Tight End
• Ryan Payne – Junior Wide Receiver/Defensive Back
• Brody Orton – Junior Offensive Lineman/Linebacker
• Brady Grant – Junior Quarterback
• Janthony Gooden – Junior Offensive Lineman/Defensive Lineman
• Jude Pinkerton – Sophomore Defensive Lineman/Offensive Lineman
• Will Shore – Senior Running Back/Defensive Back
• Dalton Farmer – Junior Running Back/Defensive Back/Punter
• Landen Lape – Junior Offensive Lineman/Defensive Lineman
• Charlie Graves (Honorable Mention) – Senior Offensive Lineman/Defensive Lineman

Leadership

Winning seasons have been a trademark for Murphy for many seasons, especially since Joseph Watson assumed the Head Coaching responsibilities after legendary coach David Gentry retired in the spring of 2021.  Through the beginning of the Coach Watson Era, the Bulldogs have built 9-win seasons and good presence in the state playoffs.  The 2024 season is Watson’s first 10-plus win season at 12-and-2 and an appearance in the fourth round of the state playoffs.  After winning the SMC Championship, Watson is the SMC Coach of the Year.  Watson credits an exceptional coaching staff, players, fans, and administration to help build a great season.

Murphy will lose 10 seniors to graduation this coming spring.  All of the seniors are leaders with defining roles to the team’s efforts.  The seniors are followed by 18 juniors with similar skill and spirit that contributed to the 2024 season success.  Look for the Murphy Bulldogs to build on its success and remain Golden.