Murphy – The Bulldogs added another number to the scoreboard Friday night, as they clinched the Smoky Mountain Conference crown for the first time since 2018.
The Bulldogs had to defeat Cherokee 35-6 to claim the title outright. Murphy did win a state title in between those conference championships, taking the title in 2020 despite losing the conference championship game to Robbinsville, which the Dogs knocked off to advance to the state title game.
Murphy took a little while to get started Friday, as the two teams exchanged possessions in the first period. Murphy finally got on the board at the 4:36 mark.
Cherokee’s defense came into the game with one thing in mind – to keep Cameron Clem in check. It would cost them on the Dogs’ first score, when Brady Grant faked to Clem and took the ball on a naked bootleg to race 10 yards for a touchdown. Jerry Bui added the extra point to give Murphy a 7-0 lead.
After holding Cherokee on their ensuing possession, Murphy’s Kadence Leatherwood took a handoff on the first play from scrimmage and raced 32 yards to set the Dogs up with a first and goal at the 9. Clem finished the job from there, as he took the ball untouched into the end zone at the 1:53 mark. Bui added the extra point and the Dogs led 14-0, but Murphy was not done scoring in the first quarter.
On Cherokee’s next possession, the Braves were faced with a third and long and attempted a pass play. The pass was picked off by Murphy’s Will Shore, who returned the pass 36 yards for a touchdown. Bui added the point after, and Murphy led 21-0 with 14 seconds left in the first quarter.
After holding the Braves on their ensuing possession, the Dogs took over near midfield. A few plays later, Brady Grant rolled out and dropped a dime to Kenyon Nichols from 24 yards out for Murphy’s fourth score of the night. A two-point conversion failed, and Murphy led 27-0 with 9:15 left in the half.
Murphy’s defense was playing lights out, and on the next Cherokee drive an unlikely player made the play. Defensive tackle Brody Orton stood up and grabbed a Cherokee pass for an interception.
Cherokee would avert another Murphy score off of the turnover as they held the Dogs on a fourth-down play at the 2 yard line. The teams would exchange possessions a few more time in the half, and Murphy missed a late field goal to take a 27-0 lead in to halftime.
After holding Cherokee on their opening second-half drive, the Dogs drove the field to score, when Grant found Shore for his second touchdown of the night from six yards out. Clem converted a two-point run, and Murphy led 35-0.
Dogs head coach Joseph Watson emptied his bench in the fourth quarter. Cherokee would score against them to net the final of 35-6.
The win earns the Dogs the SMC championship outright as they finish the season with a 5-0 conference record. Former coach David Gentry won his first SMC crown in his third season; Watson has won his first in his fourth.
“It’s a huge accomplishment, especially considering all the hard work put in by the players and coaching staff over these past few years. A SMC Championship isn’t an easy championship to win,” Watson said.
“I am proud of the coaches and players for their resilience, dedication, and commitment to each other. It’s an honor to be part of a SMC championship. This is just part of what we set out to do, this team is not finished.”
The team took time after the game to celebrate. After giving coach a Gatorade bath, the team and coaches gathered at the scoreboard to add No. 24 to the rest of the Dogs’ SMC championships.
The Dogs will be idle next week, as the season was extended one week by the N.C. High School Athletic Association to give teams a makeup week for games missed during Hurricane Helene.
The 1A state playoff brackets will be set Sunday, when Murphy will find out its first-round opponent.