Murphy Rolls to the Second Round of 2A State Playoff

An Old and Familiar Opponent Comes to Murphy – Albemarle High Bulldogs

 By Brandon Stephens

(Murphy) – – The 2025 Smoky Mountain Conference (SMC) Championship Murphy Bulldogs (8-2, 6-0 SMC) are in the second round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 2-A State Playoffs.  Friday night, the Murphy Bulldogs meet the Bulldogs of Albemarle (5-6, 2-5 Yadkin Valley 2A-3A).

This Friday’s game will be the sixth meeting with Albemarle.  Murphy leads the series 4-to-1, winning the last four games.  The first meeting was in 2009 when Albemarle defeated Murphy 35-to-28.  The Murphy Bulldogs scraped by Albemarle 42-to-41 in 2011, which was a championship year.  Murphy went on to beat Albemarle 27-to-24 in 2012; 53-to-21 in 2013; and 49-to-20 in 2022.

Tough and gritty is how Murphy has come to know Albemarle through the years, and nothing has changed.  Albemarle ended a two-game losing streak a week ago, when it defeated Cherokee 21-to-15, which was no easy task.  The team suffered through a four-game losing streak and being shut out twice.

Albemarle today is a run-oriented team with a Junior running back, Shoddy Pergee (#14), who has been averaging 140 yards per game.  Pergee has racked up 825 yards rushing in the six games he has played.  Sophomore running back Aj Butler (#6) follows Pergee with 769 yards rushing this season over 10-game.  Pergee and Butler will try to hit the line off counters and traps.

Passing may not be seen very much from the Stanley County-based Bulldogs.  Junior quarterback Adam Jordan (#4) has thrown 34 passes this season for 162 yards.  There is a possibility of seeing a Sophomore quarterback Ray Blakeney (#11) step in the game to make a few passes.  Blakeney has more impressive stats with 64 passes attempted and completed 24 for 246 yards.  Several quarterbacks in the SMC have attempted nearly 100 passes and are at or near 1,000 yards in comparison.  The passing plays are basic slip and bubble screens with a possible hook route. Junior Kendall Williams (#28) and Sophomore Joneil Cabreraarroyo (#2), and Sophomore Jaymi Campbell are the likely wide receivers to watch.  Campbell leads the team with 216 yards receiving on 15 receptions.

Our eyes will be on the game, with an ear listening for PA Announcer Joe Thorley and the radio crew to see if they can pronounce Cabreraarroyo.

The Murphy Bulldogs will need to play their assignments on defense, which will be key to stopping the Albemarle rushing game.  Murphy will need continued pressure on the quarterback by people like Landen Lape, Jude Pinkerton, Janthony Gooden, and Brody Orton, who broke into the Swain County backfield 6 times two weeks ago.  Camden Breazeale, Greyson Hall, Anthony Catuto, and Dalton Farmer must keep an eye on the corners. And don’t forget the occasional pass play.

Has a bye in the first round of the playoffs made impact on the Murphy Bulldogs?  Are they ready to take their first step into the playoffs?  What are the impressions of the other Bulldogs?  Senior quarterback Brady Grant answers these questions.

Fast moving and accurate offense will be key for Murphy to go past the four-man front from Albemarle.  Albemarle will place eight men in the box, with two linebackers.  There may be larger gaps in the Albemarle defense that allows Junior running back Cameron Clem and Sophomore Blake Davis, Senior Brodie McFadden, or Junior Michael Brown through the line.  The Murphy line is probably larger and quicker than Albemarle’s defensive front line.  Finally, go for a pass to Senior Ryan Payne or Junior Greyson Hall to make a few more yards or possibly a visit to Touchdown-Town.

The weather for Friday night in Murphy is expected to be sunny throughout the day and a clear evening, with the game time temperature around 45F degrees.  Kickoff is set for 7:30 at Murphy High School’s Bob Hendrix Stadium/David Gentry Field.

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