Way too early 2026 Preview

[recycled2]

You have lot class , we will see next year son

I bet you won't see him. He will stay hidden behind his keyboard.

 

[OtisDriftwood]

O-line definitely biggest question mark going into next year for Murphy I feel. #75 and #68 will probably be the tackles and 'Dogs should be in solid shape there, interior o-line has a lot more question marks. #67 will probably start at guard even as a 10th grader, he's a really talented kid. Unsure what they will do at the other guard spot and center. #43 would probably be a good guard if he were a bit bigger but he's more fullback sized barring another growth spurt. I could possibly see #76 playing right tackle (or #72 if he puts in the work this off-season and gets in better shape) and #68 playing center instead.

D-line will definitely take a step back, #84 is impossible to replace and #71 and #51 are big losses. But there's more obvious solutions on the d-line than on the o-line in my opinion. #76 coming back is a good anchor piece and then #68, #80, #72 and #67 should be in the mix to start at various spots on the d-line.

#55 will be greatly missed at MLB, I still like the potential of the LB group next year with #9 moving into #55's spot at MLB and #43 and probably #2 coming into the starting lineup at OLB. I could see #8 starting at OLB too if they decide to not to put him at safety, but I would imagine either #8 starts at free safety or #12 slides over to free safety from strong safety and #8 takes over at strong safety. The secondary will probably be the strength of next year's defense.

Since you mentioned the secondary as the strength of the defense next year (I agree) it got me thinking of 21 (starting CB) and whether he will ever be used on offense. He’s fast and shifty and would be good at WR or as a back up at WB behind 8..

Overall I think Murphy will be fine. Might not do as well early on as last year’s experienced bunch so hopefully the non SMC schedule won’t be as tough as this past season. But by conference and playoff time I think they will put it together and make another deep run. Very important that we get as many home playoff games as possible next season.

 

[bengal4life]

I bet you won't see him. He will stay hidden behind his keyboard

You probably right lol

 

[vikandpirate4christ]

I love how we've created a culture where a title is the standard every year. Again, our fans have been very blessed. Many teams are content, and call good years deep runs, a good year for us is a title. Looking forward to seeing the Vikings tomorrow in the Shrine Bowl.

 

[SMC Observer]

Since you mentioned the secondary as the strength of the defense next year (I agree) it got me thinking of 21 (starting CB) and whether he will ever be used on offense. He’s fast and shifty and would be good at WR or as a back up at WB behind 8..

I could see #21 getting some offensive reps next year at wing or receiver but I will be shocked if he isnt starting at one of those two spots in '27. The backfield will be loaded next year and in '27, even with #5 and #23 graduating after '26. #8 should take over at RB in '27 and then #2, possibly #9, possibly #21, #40 and #43 in the mix at FB and WB.

Speaking of #40 didnt really know anything about the kid but he pleasantly surprised me with some of his running in garbage time this year, he's a bowling ball (mean that in a good way) and brings a different running style to the other backs. I could see him being an option at fullback as a senior (in short yardage situations at the very least) in '27 if he continues to develop.

 

[OtisDriftwood]

I love how we've created a culture where a title is the standard every year. Again, our fans have been very blessed. Many teams are content, and call good years deep runs, a good year for us is a title. Looking forward to seeing the Vikings tomorrow in the Shrine Bowl.

You gotta be very careful with that mindset though. There will come a day when Tarboro won’t win it all every season. There will be years where they might have a great season but lose a tough one in the title game (like Murphy did this past season). If a state title is the ONLY thing that is acceptable or that makes you happy, then you are guaranteed to come away disappointed more than you will come away happy. Of course a state title is the ultimate goal, but there are other things you win along the way that make a season great. At Murphy, they talk about putting three numbers per season on the scoreboard…1) SMC Title 2) Western Regional Title and 3) State title. Murphy was blessed enough to put up two out of three this year, and they played an exciting non conference schedule and were able to go 2-2 against some elite competition. So while Murphy wasn’t able to finish it off with a state title, they did accomplish most of their other goals, and they played a stacked Tarboro team way closer than most expected. It’s hard to be mad after a season like that.

 

[vikandpirate4christ]

You gotta be very careful with that mindset though. There will come a day when Tarboro won’t win it all every season. There will be years where they might have a great season but lose a tough one in the title game (like Murphy did this past season). If a state title is the ONLY thing that is acceptable or that makes you happy, then you are guaranteed to come away disappointed more than you will come away happy. Of course a state title is the ultimate goal, but there are other things you win along the way that make a season great. At Murphy, they talk about putting three numbers per season on the scoreboard…1) SMC Title 2) Western Regional Title and 3) State title. Murphy was blessed enough to put up two out of three this year, and they played an exciting non conference schedule and were able to go 2-2 against some elite competition. So while Murphy wasn’t able to finish it off with a state title, they did accomplish most of their other goals, and they played a stacked Tarboro team way closer than most expected. It’s hard to be mad after a season like that.

no doubt, I understand what you're saying, I guess my point is, even when we aren't as talented, the standard or the goal doesn't change. We have had plenty of teams come short of the goal, but the goal doesn't change. Some, their goal is to make a deep run, or win a conference, ours year after year is to win a title.

 

[Tarboroviking18]

You gotta be very careful with that mindset though. There will come a day when Tarboro won’t win it all every season. There will be years where they might have a great season but lose a tough one in the title game (like Murphy did this past season). If a state title is the ONLY thing that is acceptable or that makes you happy, then you are guaranteed to come away disappointed more than you will come away happy. Of course a state title is the ultimate goal, but there are other things you win along the way that make a season great. At Murphy, they talk about putting three numbers per season on the scoreboard…1) SMC Title 2) Western Regional Title and 3) State title. Murphy was blessed enough to put up two out of three this year, and they played an exciting non conference schedule and were able to go 2-2 against some elite competition. So while Murphy wasn’t able to finish it off with a state title, they did accomplish most of their other goals, and they played a stacked Tarboro team way closer than most expected. It’s hard to be mad after a season like that.

It's been some very good Tarboro teams that didn't win it all. Some made it to the championship game and lost. And some didn't even make it to the title game. Longtime Tarboro fans have experienced lengthy championship droughts before it's nothing new. That being said, the expectation at Tarboro every year, is to win the state title. A lot of teams around Tarboro would consider making it to the 4th round and coming up short a good season. In Tarboro that's a very disappointing season.