Jordan Cody snares 1 of his 2 touchdown passes
BRYSON CITY – The Maroon Devils and Murphy Bulldogs have engaged in many classic football games over the years. You can safely add Friday’s contest to the list. Swain took a hard fought and well played game by the score of 36-27, and in doing so secured their 3rd straight Smoky Mountain Conference Championship.
Both schools filled the 4 quarters of play with big plays and big performances. Murphy got a season high 185 yards passing from sophomore quarterback Dalton Kent. Kenton Braswell had 72 yards on only 8 carries and 2 touchdowns. Austin Satterfield, Malachi Beaver, and Ozzy Corrales had 9 tackles each on defense.
For Swain Raymius Smith threw 4 touchdown passes, 2 to Jordan Cody and 2 to Kobe Toineeta. The first Smith to Toineeta touchdown was a 60 yard pass with no time left on the clock at halftime, just after Murphy had taken their second lead of the day at 14-13. Spencer McCoy finished with 200 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown. McCoy rushed for 127 yards in the 4th quarter for the Devils.
In the opening moments of the 4th quarter the Maroon Devils elected to attempt a field goal, facing 4th down, leading the game 26-21. Senior kicker Nelson Pinto had not attempted a field goal all season. Pinto calmly connected on a 24 yarder, that would prove to be large in the game.
Moments later the Bulldogs scored and elected to go for the 2 point conversion to tie the game with 3:27 remaining in the game. Swain stopped Murphy inches short on the 2 point conversion run, to maintain a 2 point lead.
Moments later Spencer McCoy ripped off a 48 yard run to move the Devils to the 11 yard line. On the next play McCoy carried the rest of the way for the deciding touchdown. Pinto made good on the extra point to give Swain a 36-27 lead, that they would end the game with.
Smith finished with 140 yards on 9 of 13 passing and 4 touchdowns, while McCoy finished with a career high 200 yards rushing.
For Murphy Kent finished with 185 yards on 13 of 24 passing. Kenton Braswell finished with a team high 72 yards on 8 carries and 2 touchdowns.
The Maroon Devils, with the win, secured the top seed from the Smoky Mountain Conference, which gave them the #2 overall seed in the west for the 1AA playoffs. Murphy also ended up with the #2 overall seed in the 1A playoffs.
Swain will host East Wilkes this Friday at 7:30 in the 1st round of the 1AA playoffs.