Cullowhee – Heading into the fourth quarter, the Murphy varsity football team was trailing by nine points. However, after scoring 22 points in the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs defeated Franklin 29-16.
The game was hosted in E.J. Whitmire Stadium at Western Carolina University. The stadium is named after a Brasstown native.
The first points of the game were scored by Bulldogs running back Cameron Clem, who rushed in the first touchdown for the Dogs. Jerry Bui made the extra point to give Murphy a 7-0 lead.
With 4:05 left in the first quarter, Franklin tied the game with a rushing touchdown of their own. They made the extra point to tie the game 7-7.
Late in the second quarter, Murphy had to punt deep in their own end. When the ball was snapped, the punter missed the ball, which went out of the back of the end zone. That resulted in a safety, and Franklin took a 9-7 lead.
As time expired in the second quarter, Murphy swatted down a deep ball in the end zone to prevent a Franklin touchdown.
Franklin started the second half with the ball, then with 5:56 left in the quarter rushed in another touchdown to extend its lead. After the extra point, Franklin led 16-7.
The third quarter ended with Franklin taking over possession after Murphy failed to get a first down, despite working their way down the field.
Bulldogs head coach Joseph Watson’s message to the team heading into the fourth quarter was that they had to finish.
“We had a lot of opportunities and we didn’t score and we didn’t want to make the same mistake in the second half. Our kids kept fighting and kept playing … I’m proud of them for finishing,” Watson said.
Just 11 seconds into the fourth quarter, Franklin punted the ball back to the Dogs after a three and out.
Brody McFaddin rushed the ball in to tighten the gap. Bui made the extra point and Murphy trailed 16-14.
Franklin once again had to punt after the Dogs’ defense shut them down.
The Dogs were working their way down the field and made the decision to go for it on 4th and 9 in Franklin’s end. They picked up a big first down to move closer to the end zone. Later in the drive, they converted on third down to move to the 3 yard line.
McFaddin rushed it in again to give the Dogs their first lead of the game since the first quarter. They rushed in a two-point conversion to lead 22-16 with 3:34 left in the game.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Dogs forced a fumble and successfully recovered the ball to gain possession with just over three minutes left.
With great field position, Clem found the end zone to put the nail in the coffin. Bui made the extra point, and the Dogs led 29-16 with 2:22 left in the game.
Speaking about the last rushing touchdown of the game, Clem said, “Not to be cocky, but real shooters don’t miss twice. I usually don’t miss those first ones, but I’m not going to miss again on the second one.”
With 26 seconds left, Franklin failed to get a first down and Murphy got the ball back. They took a knee and watched the clock expire as the Bulldogs were victorious in the season opener.
After the game, Clem spoke on the experience of getting to play at Western Carolina University and said, “Finding out we were going to be in an atmosphere like this, it sends chills down your spine. There’s nothing like it. Opener at a college like this, the atmosphere is great. I love places like this, and the team just lit on fire.”
Watson said it was a total group effort in the win, and every position group played a role.
“It was a huge special teams play on the kickoff to cause a fumble to nail the coffin for them. Whoever’s number was called on offense, they did a great job,” he said.
“Defensively, played much better in the second half after that first drive, we just hung in there and that’s kind of what you have to do.”
Watson said it was great to come back to Western. He spoke about the possibility of playing this game every year in Cullowhee.
“Coach [Josh] Brooks and I both played here, so it was great to come back here and see everybody. Saw a couple players at Western that were here, so it was great to play well in front of them and our kids were excited about doing that,” Watson said.
“It’s always good to come back, and I told coach Brooks before the game, ‘Heck, we should just do this every year,’ and didn’t think it was a terrible idea, so we’ll see. Honestly, just proud of them kids and proud of how they played.”
Watson said to keep the momentum going into this week’s game, the Bulldogs have to get better.
“It doesn’t get easier for us, Heard County [Ga.] next week, so we start Monday – actually we start Sunday with the coaches meeting – and do it all over again. And, hopefully, we’re doing it long into December,” Watson said.
The Bulldogs next travel to Heard County, Ga., at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Both teams will come into the game following big wins.