Murphy – For the first time since 2021, the Murphy varsity football team is back in the fourth round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs.
On a frigid Friday night, The Bulldogs (12-1) advanced to the fourth round after a 34-21 victory over the Robbinsville Black Knights (7-7) on Friday night.
Murphy was only able to put up six points on a Will Shore 20-yard rushing touchdown in the first half, as Robbinsville scored seven points in the first quarter and added six more in the second to take a 13-6 lead to halftime.
Coming out of halftime, the Dogs exploded for 21 points in the third quarter courtesy of Kadence Leatherwood, who scored two touchdowns on the ground, along with a 63-yard rushing touchdown from Cameron Clem.
The Dogs added another touchdown after Brady Grant took off for 65 yards down the left sideline on a quarterback run in the fourth quarter. Robbinsville made a late push by scoring eight points in the fourth, but the Dogs finished strong to advance in the state 1A playoffs.
In the fourth round, the Dogs will head to Burnsville to take on No. 2 seed Mountain Heritage (11-0).
Mountain Heritage likes to run the ball, as they average 346.5 rushing yards per game this season and only 64.3 passing yards. The Dogs also run the ball a lot, but not to the degree that Mountain Heritage does. Murphy will need to neutralize their run game this week, while maximizing their offense like in past weeks.
Both Murphy and Mountain Heritage have faced the common opponents of Hayesville and Robbinsville, with both easily defeating the Yellow Jackets. Mountain Heritage defeated Robbinsville 28-13 on Sept. 6; the first time the Dogs faced the Black Knights this season, Murphy won 14-7 on Oct. 11.
The Dogs will be in for another barn-burner this week as they look to advance one step closer to a trip back to the state championship game. The matchup will kick off at 7 p.m. Friday in Burnsville.