Dogs crush SM 52-21
By Dwight Otwell Editor

The Murphy Bulldogs Friday recovered from their previous week's defeat to blast Smokey Mountain 52-21.

The Dogs couldn't be stopped as they had 363 net yards of offense, including several long touchdown plays in their first game at the newly renovated stadium.

Patrick Canizio had 135 yards rushing and Ian Reese chipped in with 120 yards on the ground.

Quarterback Luke Charles didn't need to pass often but he completed four of nine passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns.

Smokey Mountain shocked the enthusiastic home crowd as Jonathan Tannehill returned the opening kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown to provide a quick 7-0 lead for Smokey Mountain.

However, Murphy would not lie down, as Luke Charles found Reese for a 74-yard touchdown pass. Rhett Kephart converted the extra point and with the game only a little over a minute old, both teams had scored.

Smokey Mountain mounted a drive on its next possession but Heath Curtis stopped it with an interception at Murphy's 16-yard-line. Curtis returned the ball 84 yards for a touchdown and a 14-7 Dog lead.

Murphy later began a drive that began late in the first quarter and ended in the second period. Canizio ran left for 27 yards and Charles passed to Kevin Williams for 24 yards. Canizio ran right for 13 yards. Charles passed to Cody Killian for 12 yards. Canizio ran up the middle for 10 yards and Charles finished the drive with a two-yard run for a TD. The Dogs went for the two-point conversion. Charles passed to Killian good for the points and Murphy led 22-7.

The fired up Dogs then made a seven-play 41-yard drive for a touchdown. Big plays were a 30-yard Reese run and a Charles pass to Canizio good for five yards and a touchdown. The Dogs led 41-7.

Other scores for the Dogs were a 50-yard run by Canizio and a 23-yard field goal by Kephart.

The Dogs have an open week this Friday. They return to action on Friday, September 21 in a Smoky Mountain Conference game against Rosman. It is a home game and begins at 7:30 p.m.

Murphy Bulldogs team stats

First Downs: Murphy 17, Smokey Mountain 12

Rushing: Murphy 36 attempts for 286 yards, Smokey Mountain 44 attempts for 113 yards

Passing: Murphy 4-9-1 for 115 yards, Smokey Mountain 4-12-2 for 77 yards

Fumbles: Murphy 2-1, Smokey Mountain 5-2.

Penalties: Murphy 9-70, Smokey Mountain 9-54

Murphy Bulldogs individual stats

Rushing: Canizio 15-135 for a TD; Reese 5-120 for a TD, Killian 5-2.

Passing: Charles 4-9 for 115 yards and two TDs.

Receiving: Reese 1-74 for a TD, Williams 1-24, Killian 1- 12, Canizio 1-5 for a TD.

Defense: Taylor 15 tackles, Lovingood nine tackles, Robertson eight tackles, Curtis eight tackles, Stiles eight tackles, Ledford eight tackles.