Rams outrun Dogs in 48-29 defeat
By Dwight Otwell Editor

DWIGHT OTWELL/Sentinel Photos Above left, Patrick Canizio (#34) carries the ball. Above right, lineman Ryan Stiles #76) points something out to the referee. Below right, Bradley Hurlburt (#79) heads to the sideline.

The Bulldog's offense rolled off the yardage Friday night but Tyner Academy showed more offensive bounce as they defeated Murphy 48-29.

Murphy took a week off from the Smoky Mountain Conference schedule and ran up against a very quick team. The Dogs traveled to Chattanooga for this game before they end the regular season with two conference games and a chance to tie or win the conference championship.

Murphy had 367 yards of total offense, balanced with 166 yards rushing and 201 yards passing. But the Rams had 501 total yards. Each team had 21 first downs.

Patrick Canizio had 84 yards rushing on 17 carries while Ian Reese had 64 yards on five carries. Quarterback Luke Charles completed 15 of 29 passes for 201 yards and a touchdown but two interceptions hurt the Dogs.

After neither team could move the ball to start the game, Murphy started to ramble. Reese ran the middle for 16 yards followed by a Charles pass to Canizio for 17 yards. However, the drive was stopped by an interception. The Rams then drove the ball 88 yards in 10 plays for a 6-0 lead.

However, the Dogs answered by going 58 yards on only two plays. Canizio ran up the middle for 22 yards. He then ran to the left for 36 yards and a touchdown. The extra point by Rhett Kephart was good and the Dogs led 7-6. It was to be the only lead of the night for Murphy.

On their next possession, Tyler Academy threw an interception to Bulldog Brooklynn McKeon. But the Rams got the ball back and traveled 33 yards on three plays to take a 14-7 lead.

Murphy fumbled on the next possession and the Rams had only 35 yards to navigate for a 21-7 lead.

The Dogs wouldn't let up as they drove 63 yards on their next possession. Charles passed to Cody Killian for eight yards. He then hit Kevin Williams over the middle for 43 yards. Charles hit Reese with a 10-yard gain and Canizio punched the ball in from one yard out for the TD. Charles passed to Killian for the two-point conversion and a tight 21-15 game with the Rams leading.

After the kickoff, Tyner Academy took one play to go 49 yards on a pass and a 28-15 lead at the half.

However, Murphy was determined and upon receiving the ball to start the third quarter drove 54 yards in four plays to again make it a close game. The big play was a 50-yard run by Reese. Charles ran one yard for the TD. The extra point by Kephart was good and the score was 28-22 in favor of Tyner Academy.

The Rams scored again to go up 36-22. The Rams stretched the lead to 42-22 after Murphy fumbled the ball.

The Dogs got one more touchdown, a four-yard pass from Charles to Georgie Kerber.

Bulldog Coach David Gentry said Tyner Academy is a 2A school that has a 4-3 record but they are 3-0 in their district.

"They were very quick and the turnovers (four) hurt us," said Gentry.

The Dogs' defense didn't do good on third down plays, Gentry said. The Rams converted a number of third down attempts including third and long plays.

DWIGHT OTWELL/Sentinel Photo The cheerleaders are a vital part of the Bulldog football season.

"We had trouble with their team speed," he said. "They were faster than any team we have played. The kids played hard. I am proud of how they hung in there under difficult circumstances."

Several players were hurt in the game or couldn't play because they were hurt. Senior Jose Alvarez is hurt and may not play again this season. Andrew Nichols didn't practice or play but will probably play this Friday. Anthony Brown didn't play against Tyner Academy but will probably play Friday.

Gentry said several kids who have been hurt will probably play this week, including Gene Taylor, Team tackling leader Heath Curtis turned his ankle and didn't play in the second half against Tyner Academy. He should return for this week's game.

Murphy has one conference loss, to Cherokee. The Dogs are tied in the conference with Cherokee and Hayesville. The Dogs play Hayesville at home Friday. On November 2 the Dogs end the regular season with a game against Swain.

Gentry said if the Bulldogs win their last two games and Cherokee wins its last two games, the teams will tie for the conference championship but the Dogs would get a number two seed in the playoffs because Cherokee defeated the Dogs.

Murphy Bulldogs team stats

First Downs: Murphy 21, Tyner Academy 21

Rushing: Murphy 31 attempts for 166 yards, Tyner Academy 42 attempts for 327 yards

Passing: Murphy 15-29-2 for 201 yards, Tyner Academy 7-14 for 174 yards

Fumbles: Murphy 2-2, Tyner Academy 1-1

Penalties: Murphy 5-33, tyner Academy 9-94

Murphy Bulldogs individual stats

Rushing: Canizio 17-84 for two TDs; Reese 5-64, Killian 3-6, Edwards 2-10;

Passing: Charles 15-29 for 201 yards and a TD;

Receiving: Reese 4-58; Canizio 3-37; Killian 3-21; Williams 2-52; Kerber 2-18 for a TD; Johnson 1-15;

Defense: Stiles 15 tackles, Ledford 11 tackles and a forced fumble, Robertson 10 tackles, McDonald 10 tackles, Kerber nine tackles and a fumble recovery and Lovingood eight tackles.