Murphy Bulldogs Welcome the Rosman Tigers to Town

Murphy Looks for Second Conference Win After Shutout of Cherokee

 

By Brandon Stephens

 

(Murphy) – – Rosman (2-and-4, 0-and-2) may not have an eye-popping record the Tigers have shown fight, especially in tight games. Their 26–14 win over Copper Basin earlier in the season demonstrated their ability to punch above their weight.  Tyree Allen is in his fifth season as the Tiger Head Football Coach, who continues to build strength in the program that had its last winning season in 2015 (7-and-6).  Now the Tigers face a strong Murphy Bulldog football team (3-and-2, 1-and-0).

Murphy and Rosman history show a strong Bulldog hold on leading the series.  Murphy leads Rosman 34-to-6.  Murphy won the last game played in 2020 with a score of 50-to-0 in Rosman.  The last time Rosman defeated Murphy was 2000 in a 27-to-16 contest.  Rosman won the previous years 26-to-20 in 1999 and 21-to-13 in 1998.  The average score has been Murphy 38 and Rosman 14.  Finally, Rosman had a winning season at 7-and-5 in 2015, ten years ago.

Youth and a run game are salient features for the Rosman Tigers.  23 players make up the Rosman roster with two senior players.  The younger players make up the offensive back field with Sophomore quarterback Zeke Gainey or Sophomore Braelon Owen and Sophomore Brayan Reynaldo at fullback, who leads the team in rushing with 340 yards and 6 touchdowns.  The passing game has been very minimal for Rosman.  A rushing game may play right into the hand of Murphy.  Line of scrimmage control by Murphy’s men in the trenches (Brody Orton, Landen Lape, and Camden Breazeale – three team leaders for lineman tackling).

Diversity in the offense and strength in defense should make this game a Murphy victory.  Good execution and no mistakes and penalties will be the next ingredients to win the game.  The Bulldogs shutout the Cherokee Braves 35-to-0 to win its first Smoky Mountain Conference game.  The Bulldogs complete 9-of-1 passes with Brady Grant for 140 yards of offense.  Ball carries like Sophomore Blake Davis and Junior Michael Brown made up the 229 yards and a few touchdowns.  Brown had a breakout night with 117 yards of offense.  Senior quarterback Brady Grant says the team must follow the game plan and success should fall into place.

Transition from junior varsity or being the next man up on a team can be stressful.  Michael Brown answered the call for Murphy to run the ball in the absence of Junior running back Cameron Clem suffering an ankle sprain in the A-C Reynolds game.  Brown says he fell into place

The Cherokee game was good for the Murphy Bulldogs to put some wind back in its sails.  Murphy, last week, is able to regroup in the Cherokee game and build after an open week and suffering a 34-to-14 loss to A-C Reynolds.  Coach Watson is ready for a home game.

Murphy and Rosman will kick off at 7:30PM at Bob Henderix Stadium/David Gentry Field. Stay connected Team FYN Sports for updates on this game and others.

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