Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Hiwassee Dam first baseman Colt Meyers tries to tag Murphy’s Braden Rumfelt during the Eagles’ 12-0 loss to the Bulldogs on May 18.
Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy defensive coordinator Thomas Nelson smiles with the state championship trophy after the Bulldogs’ 14-7 win over Northside-Pinetown on May 8. Nelson is leaving Murphy and starting a new job at Union County High School in nearby Blairsville, Ga., this fall.
Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com A Hayesville batter is called safe during the Yellow Jackets’ 10-1 win over Murphy on May 14.
Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy offensive lineman Yousef Mugharbil looks to bring down Northside-Pinetown quarterback Keifer Boyd during the Bulldogs 14-7 win over the Panthers in the 1A state championship game on May 8.
The Andrews shooting team qualified for the state tournament in regional competition.
Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy senior Annie Kate Dalton runs to second base during the Lady Bulldogs’ 3-1 win over South Stokes on Thursday.
Photos by Justin Fitzgerald/sports@cherokeescout.com Murphy won the 1A state football championship game Saturday with gritty play in the trenches (left photo, with Ty Laney helping bring down a Northside-Pinetown running back) and with outstanding effort (right photo, with a Bulldog player giving 100 percent to dive for a loose ball).