Tonight’s UTV 44 High School Game of the Week presented by Subway showcased Round #2 of the state playoffs between the McGill-Toolen Yellow Jackets vs. Murphy Panthers.
McGill was looking to avenge their week 10 loss to the Panthers, which cost them a perfect season.
In the first quarter, both teams held each other defensively until the end of the quarter when McGill got on the board first when Trey Roberts found the end zone on a 4 yard run.
Not to be out done starting the 2nd quarter, Murphy’s K.J. Maye lead the Panthers down field 75 yards capped by a 7 yard touch down pass to Torian Williams. The Panthers tied the score up 7-7.
McGill’s next two series in the second quarter resulted in touchdowns. The first was a 24 yard touchdown reception by Trey Roberts then a 6 yard touchdown reception by Carl Lee. McGill was now up 21-7 late in the second quarter. Roberts finished the night with 36 carries and 144 yards with one rushing and one receiving touch downs.
Murphy answered back. Sam Dixon ripped off a 50 yard run to put the Panthers in scoring position with under three minutes left in the half. A few plays later quarterback K.J. Maye found the end zone on a 6 yard run. Murphy was now only down 21-14.
McGill’s next possession started at mid field and looked to add to their lead before the end of the half. Four plays and 48 yards later they did just that. Jason Smith connected with Harrison Imsand with a 16 yard touch down reception. McGill went into halftime up 28-14. Smith end the night 9 for 13 for 122 yards passing along with 11 carries for 43 yards, he threw for three touchdowns and one interception.
The second half started with a short kickoff to Murphy, after misplaying the ball McGill was able to recover the kick. McGill looking to eat up yards and the clock, the Yellow Jackets put together a 50 yard drive that took 6:32 off the clock. It resulted in a 34 yard field goal by Thomas Hamlin. McGill was now up 31-14 in the 3rd quarter.
The Panthers started the 4th quarter an 11 yard touchdown run by Sam Dixon. Murphy had pulled the score to 31-21.
After stopping the Yellow Jackets on their next possession, Murphy’s Greg Jones was able to get a hand on the punt; the Panthers now had the ball in scoring position. Three plays later Dixon punched it in for his 3rd touchdown of the night. Murphy was now only down 31-28 half way through the 4th quarter. Dixon finished the night with 14 carries and 110 yards and the three touchdowns.
McGill was able to finish the Panthers off after Jalen Square picked off K.J. Maye at the end of the 4th quarter. Maye finished the night 11 for 19 and 141 yards, he threw for a touchdown and two interceptions along with rushing for a touchdown.
Murphy finishes the season at 7-5.
McGill (11-1) now advances the 3rd round of the playoffs and will travel to face Central-Phenix City on Friday November 18th.
