Dogs' comeback stuns Franklin 27-24
Charles passing and ferocious defense tames Panthers
By Dwight Otwell Editor

DWIGHT OTWELL/Sentinel photo The Bulldogs celebrate after the comeback victory against Franklin.

Murphy had played well against the mighty Franklin Panthers.

The Bulldogs moved the ball through the air and the defense kept the Panthers running game from getting out of hand.

But it looked like another win for Franklin over the Dogs as the Panthers led 24-13 with less than four minutes in the game. The Panthers were driving for a clinching touchdown. They had punched the ball down the field behind the running of Josh Young, who rushed for over 300 yards last week against Hayesville and had gained over 200 yards against the Dogs.

On first and 10 with a mere 22 yards from the goal line, Young made two yards up the middle. On second down, Young tried to run left but was tackled by Gene Taylor and Zack Robertson for a one-yard loss. Quarterback Christian Vose passed for the endzone but defensive back Ian Reese intercepted the ball.

Seemingly, this good defensive stop only prevented the Panthers from running up the score. But on second and 10, junior quarterback Luke Charles hit Reese near the sideline. Reese juked, spun and covered 46 yards to the Franklin 34-yard-line. On second and 10, Charles threw the ball into a crowd. The ball skidded off one receiver and was hauled in by junior Kevin Williams for a 34-yard touchdown. A two-point conversion was no good but with 2:48 left in the game, the Bulldogs still had a small chance at victory. It would take either a quick three stops by the defense and then a lightning strike by the offense or a turnover by the Panthers.

DWIGHT OTWELL/Sentinel photo Left, Luke Charles sees a man open in the endzone. Right, Patrick Canizio hauls the ball in for the Bulldogs first touchdown Friday in its upset victory over the Franklin Panthers.

After the kickoff sailed out-of-bounds, Franklin took over at its 35. On first down, Vance Collins ran the middle and fumbled. Heath Curtis jumped on the ball for the Dogs and the miracle finish seemed possible.

The Dogs were in business at the Franklin 29-yard-line. Reese ran around the left end for nine yards. A personal foul against Franklin moved the ball to the 10.

Charles passed one yard to junior running back Patrick Canizio. On second down, Charles fired a strike across the middle for a touchdown to Reese. The Dogs led 25-24 with 2:23 left in the game. Canizio ran through a gaping hole on the right side of the line for two points and a 27-24 lead.

The Dogs kicked out-ofbounds to set Franklin up at the 35-yard-line. On first down, Vose completed a pass to Jason Erxleben but Curtis drove him down for no gain with a crushing tackle. On second down, Vose was sacked by Zack Robertson and Ryan Stiles. On third and 14, Ben Ledford and Gene Taylor got to the quarterback for an eight-yard loss. On fourth and forever, a long pass fell incomplete. A flag caused the Murphy side of the field to hold their breath. But the pass interference penalty was against Franklin and the Dogs ran out the clock for a rousing comeback victory over powerhouse Franklin.

The Dogs had trouble running the ball against the Panthers, as they often stacked the line with nine defensive players. The Dogs gained only 26 net yards rushing for the night.

DWIGHT OTWELL/Sentinel photo Georgia Kerber brings in the Dogs second touchdown on a 36-yard play

But the passing game was hot as Charles completed 12 of 25 passes for 284 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. Catching touchdowns for the Dogs were Reese, Canizio, Williams and Georgia Kerber.

Even though Young gained 256 yards on 40 carries, the team gained only 257 yards and a 4.8 average per carry. Franklin had only 14 yards through the air. Taylor had 19 tackles for the Bulldogs and six other players had eight or more tackles.

It looked as if Murphy had jumped off to a great start in the game as Murphy recovered a Young fumble at midfield and Charles hit Reese for what seemed like a quick touchdown. But illegal procedure brought the play back. Franklin covered 54 yards in nine plays to go ahead 7-0.

However, the Dogs came right back, covering 85 yards in eight plays. Charles passed over the middle to freshman tight end Michael Kernea for 44 yards. Reese ran right for 25 yards and Charles hit Williams for a 12-yard gain. On third and five, Charles passed right to Canizio, complete for a first down. Rhett Kephart made the extra point for a 7-7 tie.

DWIGHT OTWELL/Sentinel photo Ian Reese goes down after a good gain against the Panthers Friday night.

After the Dogs stopped Franklin on defense, they took over from their 27. It took only five plays to go 73 yards. Reese ran for 10 and Charles hit tight end Andrew Nichols for 27 yards to the Franklin 34-yard-line. On second and 14, Charles found Kerber for a 36-yard touchdown strike. The conversion was no good and Murphy was down 14-13.

Franklin took over for the remainder of the half, scoring two touchdowns to go ahead 21-13. They continued their mastery at the start of the third quarter by kicking a field goal to go ahead 23-13.

That was right where Murphy wanted the Panthers. It was time for a comeback.

Murphy Bulldogs team stats

First Downs: Murphy 15, Franklin 18

Rushing: Murphy 22 attempts for 26 yards, Franklin 53 attempts for 257 yards

Passing: Murphy 12-25-0 for 284 yards, Franklin 3-8-1 for 14 yards

Fumbles: Murphy 3-1, Franklin 4-2. Penalties: Murphy 10-54, Franklin 4-44 Murphy Bulldogs individual stats

Rushing: Reese 7-48.

Passing: Charles 12-25 for 284 yards and four TDs.

Receiving: Reese 4-89 for a TD, Canizio 2- 6 for a TD, Williams 2-46 for a TD, Kerber 2-72 for a TD, Kernea 1-44, Nichols 1-27.

Defense: Taylor 19 tackles and a third of a sack; Curtis 14 tackles; Stiles 12 tackles and a third of a sack; Lockett 11 tackles; Ledford 10 tackles and one forced fumble; Rose nine tackles; Alvarez eight tackles and one recovered fumble.