Murphy – The Murphy Bulldogs narrowly fell to the undefeated Robbinsville Black Knights in their regular season finale at home Friday night by a score of 17-14.
Murphy (9-2) led 14-7 going into halftime on scoring runs from Ray Rathburn and Devonte Murray and was in good shape, receiving the ball to start the second.
However a bobbled catch on the kick off was recovered by Robbinsville (11-0) and the game began surging in the Black Knights favor.
Murphy's defense managed to temporarily stem the tide, holding Robbinsville to a field goal and sustaining its lead at 14-10.
But on the following possession, the Dogs failed to get a drive going and were forced to punt in their own territory.
Murphy's punt attempt was blocked by the Black Knights and Robbinsville recovered the football at the Dogs' 9-yard line poised to take the lead.
Just a few plays later, Robbinsville punched the ball in the end zone and took the 17-14 lead that would end up as the final score.
Murphy put together a strong drive at the end of the third quarter and got into the red zone, but a costly fumble resulted in a turnover heading into the fourth quarter.
The Bulldogs defense gave Murphy chances to take the lead in the fourth quarter, but the offense failed to get any sustaining drives put together late in the game.
Murphy now waits to find out their seeding in the NCHSAA 1A Football Playoffs, which will be released on Saturday, Nov. 8.