The UTV44 High School Game of the Week presented by Whataburger showcased one of Alabama’s oldest high school rivalries as the Murphy Panthers headed to the “Lip” to take on the #2 ranked and undefeated McGill-Toolen Yellow Jackets.
Murphy ruined McGill’s perfect season last year and the Yellow Jackets were looking to avenge that loss tonight, and it didn’t take the Yellow Jackets long.
McGill got the ball first to start the game, and on the fourth play of the drive, quarterback Jason Smith took off for a 59 yard
touchdown run. With 10:43 left in the 1st quarter, McGill took a 7-0 lead.
Murphy was not able to move the ball, they punted to Yellow Jackets, and Jason Smith would start on their own 41 yard line. Smith lead the Yellow Jackets 59 yards on 12 plays. Smith capped the drive off with a 1 yard touchdown run. The Jackets now
had a 14-0 with just over six minutes left in the first quarter.
Kam Maye and the Murphy Panthers looked to stay in the game. With just over two minutes left in the 1st quarter, the Panthers struck back. Running back Sam Dixon found the end zone on a 1 yard run, and that finished off a 13 play drive for 67 yards. The Panthers were now only down 14-7.
With the first quarter just about to end, the Panthers had forced McGill to punt, but the Panthers fumbled the ball the McGill recovered the ball on the Panther’s nine yard line. On the next play, Jason Smith connected with Carl Lee for a 9 yard
touchdown catch. The Yellow Jackets now had a 21-7 lead over the Panthers.
The second quarter saw the Yellow Jackets take control of the game. With a little over nine minutes left in the 1st half, McGill got the ball starting on their own 32 yard line. Smith lead the offense 68 yards only to find the end zone again on a 11 yard run. The 2:37 drive now gave the Yellow Jackets a 28-7 lead.
The scoring didn’t end there in the 2nd quarter. The Yellow Jackets got the ball again, this time starting at the Murphy 33 yard line. A 1:19 and 6 plays later, Smith scored on a 4 yard run. Smith was hit late at the end of the play, and drew the personal foul against Murphy. The Yellow Jackets faked the PAT and converted for the two points. McGill now had a 36-7 lead.
The personal foul penalty, put the Yellow Jackets kicking on a short field, and with that they attempted an onside kick in which they did recover. The very next play Smith connected with Lee again, this time for a 33 yard touchdown reception. The Yellow Jackets with that score, they were leading 43-7 and there was just over three minutes left in the half.
Murphy, still looking to stay in the game, was able to put together an 80 yard drive that ended when Sam Dixon found the end zone for the second time on a 33 yard run.
McGill missed a 39 yard field goal to end the half, but had a 43-14 lead over the Panthers.
The second half saw Murphy get on the board first. Kameron Maye got in the end zone on a 1 yard run to end an 80 yard drive for the Panthers. They were now down 43-21 to the Yellow Jackets.
Murphy attempted an onside kick and was successful in recovering the ball, but four plays later the Panthers could not convert the 4th down and McGill got the ball back.
Smith move the Yellow Jackets down the field for 62 yards, he would end up finished the night with 259 total yards. Smith once again connected with Carl Lee on a 8 yard catch. Lee finished the night with 6 catches for 96 yards and three touchdowns. McGill now had a 50-21 lead and would go on to win by that same score.
Murphy falls to 5-4 for the year; the Panthers will host Vigor to wrap up their regular season.
McGill stays undefeated with a 9-0 record, and look the finish up the perfect regular season as they will host Sumter Central.
The UTV44 High School Game of the Week is in the “Flex” part of the schedule. Check back to see what game will be broadcasted. Join us on Friday at 7pm for the UTV44 High School Game of the Week.
