Dogs' season ends in first round of playoffs
By Dwight Otwell Editor

DWIGHT OTWELL/Sentinel photo Heath Curtis (# 5, one of Murphy's leading tacklers), fights off a West Montgomery Warrior as Jose Alvarez (#72) gets into the action. The Dogs were in the game until the middle of the third quarter.

Murphy made a long, sustained drive to start the third quarter to pull themselves back into their first round playoff game against West Montgomery.

Down only one touchdown, the Bulldogs kicked off and a Warrior runner returned the kick into the endzone for a touchdown. After that, it was all West Montgomery as they ended Murphy's season with a 54-21 victory over the Dogs. The Bulldogs had a long drive back to Murphy from the high school in the middle of the state.

The Bulldogs couldn't keep up with the high powered Warrior offense, which had three runners with over 100 yards rushing for the 1AA state playoff game.

Murphy, which ended its season 7-5, had 326 net yards but West Montgomery had 437 yards, including 424 yards rushing.

Patrick Canizio continued his yearlong running domination with 150 ground yards on 18 carries. Luke Charles passed for 187 yards and two touchdowns to Kevin Williams, who had 119 yards receiving. But it wasn't enough as the Dogs went down to defeat.

DWIGHT OTWELL/Sentinel photos Rjight, senior Ian Reese fights off a tackler. The dogs lose 10 seniors off this year's team. They are Reese, Kevin Williams, Brian Hass, Seth Stallard, Keith Cook, Cody Killian, Rhett Kephart, Ben Ledford, Jose Alvarez and Ryan Stiles. Left, Brooklynn McKeon (#3) carries the ball as Rickey Edwards (#40) is behind and Nick Surrett (#62 is in front.

On West Montgomery's first drive, they barely made a first down on a third and one. Then, it appeared that the Dogs' defense had stopped the Warriors as they went back to punt on fourth down. But they faked the punt and ran for a first down. They scored and led 7-0.

On Murphy's first possession, the Dogs threw an interception. The Warriors scored to lead 14-0.

Murphy countered with a drive. Canizio made a 45-yard run. Then, Charles hit Williams with a 30-yard pass for a TD and the score was 14-7 to end the first quarter.

DWIGHT OTWELL/Sentinel photos Right, junior quarterback Luke Charles (#1) looks on as he has just thrown his second touchdown pass of the game to Kevin Williams. This pass was good for 35 yards. Williams earlier caught a 30-yard TD pass. Behind Charles is Cody Killian (#32). Below, junior Patrick Canizio fights for some tough yardage. Canizio gained 150 yards on 18 carries for the game. He finished the season with well over 1,000 yards rushing. Behind Canizio is Cody Killian. Canizio provided the only ground attack the Dogs got against West Montgomery.

The Warriors scored two touchdowns to go up 28-7 in the second quarter. However, Charles again found Williams, this time for 35 yards and a TD with 2:55 left in the half. The half ended with the score 28-14.

The Dogs used a ball control drive covering 76 yards in 12 plays that took up almost half of the third quarter to score and bring themselves back into contention at 28-21.

Canizio gained six yards followed by a 16-yard gain in which he slipped past some defenders to the Murphy 46.

Canizio, Charles and Rickey Edwards kept the drive going with runs until Canizio rushed one yard for the TD. Rhett Kephart kicked the extra point to make the score 28-21.

However, Vincent Jordan returned the ensuing kickoff 84 yards for a Warrior score and a 35-21 lead.

On Murphy's possession, Charles again found Williams for a TD, this time for 43 yards, but pass interference was called on Murphy, wiping out the TD and the Dogs couldn't move the ball again.

The Dogs didn't score again as they ended the season in the first round of the playoffs.

Murphy Bulldogs team stats

First Downs: Murphy 19, W Montgomery 20

Rushing: Murphy 34 attempts for 147 yards, W Montgomery 48 attempts for 424 yards

Passing: Murphy 11-18-3 for 187 yards, W Montgomery 1-7 for 13 yards

Fumbles: Murphy 3-1, W Montgomery 1-0

Penalties: Murphy 6-60, W Montgomery 13-106

Murphy Bulldogs individual stats

Rushing: Canizio 18-150 for a TD; Edwards 3-13, Killian 1-3

DWIGHT OTWELL/Sentinel photo Senior Kevin Williams (#9) had a last game to remember as he caught two TD passes, including this one, Murphy's first score.

Passing: Charles 11-18 for 187 yards and two TDs;

Receiving: Willaims 4-119 for two TDs, Reese 3-25, Canizio 3-27, Killian 1-16;

Defense: Stiles 17 tackles, Curtis 12 tackles, Taylor nine tackles, Ledford seven tackles and one forced fumble.

DWIGHT OTWELL/Sentinel photo Senior Ben Ledford (#53) chases a Warrior runner. West Montgomery had a potent rushing attack, gaining 424 net yards on the ground.