By Brandon Stephens

(Kernersville) – – The Bishop McGuinness Villains are probably more well known for taking down Smoky Mountain Conference teams in volleyball and basketball rather than football.  This is a team that is middle of the road to be a threat or possibly a team that can be defeated.   Don’t be surprised either way if the Villains can’t defend against the Wing-T rushing threat or send Murphy (8-3,3-2) home with a loss.  The Bulldogs have to do the things that are obvious to any other team that include taking care of the ball; limiting penalties; and striking early and establishing dominance.  Let’s get it out in the open that Bishop McGuinness is a once private school that is now competing in the regular 1-A ranks with the ability to get the players it wants and has resources to build a team.  Bishop McGuinness Villains (6-5, 4-3) comes from a split 1-A/2-A conference where they won the conference and gained an upper seed in the brackets.

Bishop McGuinness is a team that will definitely work from the spread offense.  The Villains will rely on a good quarterback, Alex Waterfield.  The team is led by Junior Quarterback Alex Waterfield who seems to do-it-all for the team.  Waterfield completes 60 percent of his passes, which is quite a lot (131 of 222).  He has passed for 1,480 yards and 18 touchdowns.  Waterfield likes to run and leads the Villains in rushing with 730 yards on 133 carries and 9 touchdowns.  The leading receiver is Miller Aho, a 6’1 Junior that has 650 yards on 57 receptions.  The Villains are a younger team that has a good offensive and defensive front line.

Murphy will have to play a good assignment game of defense to watch for a pass or run play.  The past couple of games  with Cherokee and Polk County should prepare the Bulldogs well for this game.  There aren’t a lot of passing teams in the Smoky Mountain Conference, but the Bulldogs should be ready according to Junior Running Back Jonah Hedden.

There were a lot of good plays set by the Bulldogs in the Polk County game ranging from Hunter Stalcup racking up more than 300 yards and 4 touchdowns to Jude Pinkerton making a number of sacks and a touchdown on a blocked punt.  Brady Grant says this game was good for Murphy.

Being in the second round of the state playoffs is a good place to be according to Murphy Head Football Coach Joseph Watson.

Murphy will take on Bishop McGuinness in Kernersville at 7:30.  Stay connected to Team FYN Sports for updates on the game and a postgame wrap up.