Western Conference Final: Starmount @ Murphy

Ball704336

Sophomore
Jul 14, 2025
165
156
42
That wasn’t even one of the top three defenses you have faced this year. If you could please, let me know the offensive stats from tonight?
I'm not following. Are you saying that Murphy's defense isn't one of the top 3 Starmount has faced this year? I think Murphy has a good sound defense. I'm not sure if they're better or worse than East Wilkes. I do know the DL isn't as good as Mt Airy but Murphy makes up for it with a good secondary. Who do you think was better than Murphy?

I don't know the stats for the game. I'm not the statistician. You will have to ask Deana for that.
 
Oct 4, 2024
20
11
2
I'm not following. Are you saying that Murphy's defense isn't one of the top 3 Starmount has faced this year? I think Murphy has a good sound defense. I'm not sure if they're better or worse than East Wilkes. I do know the DL isn't as good as Mt Airy but Murphy makes up for it with a good secondary. Who do you think was better than Murphy?

I don't know the stats for the game. I'm not the statistician. You will have to ask Deana for that.
Mount Airy, East Wilkes and Allegheny. Welcome to this side of the bracket. If you were on the other side you would’ve gotten a real taste of football. 4 of the top 5 teams in the west were put on this side of the bracket this year….
 

GreyGod623

All-Conference
Nov 24, 2012
1,037
1,157
113
They had games against teams without a pulse before the West Wilkes game and couldn't put up points that they should've. Starmount's game just isn't conducive to these conditions, it's that simple. I knew it all week but would never say anything hoping the game would get moved to Thursday. It is what it is. Reeves has done a fine job in his limited first time ever being an OC.
It literally rained all night last night in Murphy. Rain stopped this morning early. The Murphy Power Board brought in tons of sand and used blowers to get the field in the condition it was in ... Worked all day. Thursday was NOT an option, it would have been played in a downpour.
 
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Murphydawg4life

Freshman
Aug 11, 2025
56
62
18
It literally rained all night last night in Murphy. Rain stopped this morning early. The Murphy Power Board brought in tons of sand and used blowers to get the field in the condition it was in ... Worked all day. Thursday was NOT an option, it would have been played in a downpour.
He’s just making excuses. He thinks Murphy wouldn’t have an answer for a “passing” game but he forgets the past two opponents Murphy played apparently. He also forgets that two teams were playing in those conditions, not one. Murphy didn’t complete a pass tonight and Brady grant has over 1000yds passing for the season. So it had a huge affect on Murphy’s passing game also. The field affected both teams, Murphy just adjusted to it better. The better team won tonight. Congrats to the rams on a great season.
 

Bear1971

All-Conference
Nov 28, 2017
991
1,299
93
It's a shame that the teams have to play in a mud pit. Of all teams that need turf, mountain teams do because of the weather. Hate this for both teams.
Why do you think 2 time state champ Mt airy is staying green grass ha ha I complained about it at first now I'm not
 
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Ball704336

Sophomore
Jul 14, 2025
165
156
42
It literally rained all night last night in Murphy. Rain stopped this morning early. The Murphy Power Board brought in tons of sand and used blowers to get the field in the condition it was in ... Worked all day. Thursday was NOT an option, it would have been played in a downpour.
Sounds like they went above and beyond to get it ready. Murphy earned the homefield advantage and used it. You have to play the hand you're dealt and Starmount just couldn't adjust to it.
 

Ball704336

Sophomore
Jul 14, 2025
165
156
42
He’s just making excuses. He thinks Murphy wouldn’t have an answer for a “passing” game but he forgets the past two opponents Murphy played apparently. He also forgets that two teams were playing in those conditions, not one. Murphy didn’t complete a pass tonight and Brady grant has over 1000yds passing for the season. So it had a huge affect on Murphy’s passing game also. The field affected both teams, Murphy just adjusted to it better. The better team won tonight. Congrats to the rams on a great season.
No I'm not making excuses. Murphy won fair and square and were the better team tonight just like I said. They earned it
 

80prepster

Freshman
Sep 26, 2025
59
60
18
Some observations from a live spectator staying overnight:

Murphy is a beautiful town. So is the drive through the valley from Andrews. Good lunch at Shoebooties Cafe, visit inside the historic courthouse, and the Cherokee County museum. The stay at Stonebrook Lodge is stellar.

The game? I’ll give credit where it is due….the Cameron Clem guy is a workhorse. Carried Rams with him on multiple first downs. The offense did just enough to win the game. I’d say it’s the fewest points scored by Murphy on an opponent this year, so that’s credit to Starmount’s exceptional defense. The Bulldogs just had more to give on offense to win the game. Congratulations!….you’ll need all of it and more next week.

Field advantage and conditions aside, the facilities are way last century. You’d think a program as venerated as Murphy, in the Smoky Mountain Conference, would be able to be more up to date. At least when Starmount had grass they would provide tarps to cover the sidelines, or put down some sand. Not a mud pit!
 
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Delta53

Redshirt
Oct 23, 2024
62
44
17
Some observations from a live spectator staying overnight:

Murphy is a beautiful town. So is the drive through the valley from Andrews. Good lunch at Shoebooties Cafe, visit inside the historic courthouse, and the Cherokee County museum. The stay at Stonebrook Lodge is stellar.

The game? I’ll give credit where it is due….the Cameron Clem guy is a workhorse. Carried Rams with him on multiple first downs. The offense did just enough to win the game. I’d say it’s the fewest points scored by Murphy on an opponent this year, so that’s credit to Starmount’s exceptional defense. The Bulldogs just had more to give on offense to win the game. Congratulations!….you’ll need all of it and more next week.

Field advantage and conditions aside, the facilities are way last century. You’d think a program as venerated as Murphy would be able to be more up to date. At least when Starmount had grass they would provide tarps to cover the sidelines, or put down some sand. Not a mud pit!
We did on our sideline
 
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Murphydawg4life

Freshman
Aug 11, 2025
56
62
18
Some observations from a live spectator staying overnight:

Murphy is a beautiful town. So is the drive through the valley from Andrews. Good lunch at Shoebooties Cafe, visit inside the historic courthouse, and the Cherokee County museum. The stay at Stonebrook Lodge is stellar.

The game? I’ll give credit where it is due….the Cameron Clem guy is a workhorse. Carried Rams with him on multiple first downs. The offense did just enough to win the game. I’d say it’s the fewest points scored by Murphy on an opponent this year, so that’s credit to Starmount’s exceptional defense. The Bulldogs just had more to give on offense to win the game. Congratulations!….you’ll need all of it and more next week.

Field advantage and conditions aside, the facilities are way last century. You’d think a program as venerated as Murphy, in the Smoky Mountain Conference, would be able to be more up to date. At least when Starmount had grass they would provide tarps to cover the sidelines, or put down some sand. Not a mud pit!
Murphy only had 10 against Heard County earlier this year and 14 against AC Reynolds but I understand your point lol.
 

SMC Observer

Junior
Apr 10, 2012
413
298
63
Field advantage and conditions aside, the facilities are way last century. You’d think a program as venerated as Murphy, in the Smoky Mountain Conference, would be able to be more up to date.
Unfortunately Cherokee County Schools have no money, so unless or until the county consolidates a bunch of their schools the reality is Murphy will have terrible facilities overall.
 

OtisDriftwood

All-Conference
Sep 22, 2001
7,065
1,984
113
Rams can't use their athlete advantage. It hurts them in that offense. They can't use their passing advantage
What athlete advantage?? They don’t look athletic at all to me outside of the QB. On a dry field 5, 8, and 23 all break loose against your defense. I don’t see one segment where Starmount has an athlete advantage.
 

OtisDriftwood

All-Conference
Sep 22, 2001
7,065
1,984
113
Starmount did not looked good at all passing the ball, picked three times and couldve been picked three others. I didnt see any passing "advantage" if Im being honest
It’s a built in stereotype that never goes away no matter how many times Murphy or anyone else in the SMC sends these teams home that are supposedly more “athletic, talented, and faster” lol…
 

OtisDriftwood

All-Conference
Sep 22, 2001
7,065
1,984
113
I hate it for the Rams but next week they would've been obliterated anyway. Murphy will succumb to the same fate next week as well. Neither team was gonna have anything for Tarboro
Well I guess we will see. There’s a reason why the games are played on the field and not on paper.
 
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Jul 23, 2009
15,313
7,599
113
Some observations from a live spectator staying overnight:

Murphy is a beautiful town. So is the drive through the valley from Andrews. Good lunch at Shoebooties Cafe, visit inside the historic courthouse, and the Cherokee County museum. The stay at Stonebrook Lodge is stellar.

The game? I’ll give credit where it is due….the Cameron Clem guy is a workhorse. Carried Rams with him on multiple first downs. The offense did just enough to win the game. I’d say it’s the fewest points scored by Murphy on an opponent this year, so that’s credit to Starmount’s exceptional defense. The Bulldogs just had more to give on offense to win the game. Congratulations!….you’ll need all of it and more next week.

Field advantage and conditions aside, the facilities are way last century. You’d think a program as venerated as Murphy, in the Smoky Mountain Conference, would be able to be more up to date. At least when Starmount had grass they would provide tarps to cover the sidelines, or put down some sand. Not a mud pit!
Murphy offense scored 15 on Robbinsville

The worst thing about Murphy is the lighting.
I like the old time feel of Murphy and Robbinsville.
 

bengalstripes9

Redshirt
Nov 26, 2025
12
16
3
I think the past 2 games really took its toll on Murphy and it showed last night. Starmount has a legit defense, but their offense was lacking. Field conditions were abysmal, but Starmount had the entire 1st half to seize control and received the kick to start 2nd half. Turning the ball over multiple times usually will end in defeat. Ugly wins still count, so its on to the championship game. I had to laugh when all the Starmount fans started booing the Murphy players after walking through the handshake line. GO DOGS!
 

80prepster

Freshman
Sep 26, 2025
59
60
18
We can only afford to do one Sideline since we sent all that money back for you'alls gym

lol….thats pretty lame reasoning. About like pooping on one side of your dog box, so your nose is not in it on the other side? You’re the one that owns your house, so only you can fix it. It’s not the rain’s fault!

Again, congrats on the win. You have about a week to enjoy it. The score settled it. 14-2 Starmount’s defense was better than its offense. Murphy was the better team to win.
 
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Old Mutt Coach

Redshirt
Oct 11, 2025
27
22
3
It wasn't from lack of effort on the field ,we worked hard trying to get this field ready, you think it was bad you should have seen it about 8am.
GO DOGS !
 

OtisDriftwood

All-Conference
Sep 22, 2001
7,065
1,984
113
lol….thats pretty lame reasoning. About like pooping on one side of your dog box, so your nose is not in it on the other side? You’re the one that owns your house, so only you can fix it. It’s not the rain’s fault!

Again, congrats on the win. You have about a week to enjoy it. The score settled it. 14-2 Starmount’s defense was better than its offense. Murphy was the better team to win.
You see, thats where you are wrong. We will enjoy this win from now on no matter what happens next week! My only regret is that this game was played on a sloppy wet field. Would have loved to have dry conditions so we could have dished out a proper beating. But last night will do for now. Just tired of the excuses I keep seeing on here from Starmount fans. As if dry conditions wouldn’t have helped Murphy too lol.
 

Deana_King

All-Conference
Staff member
Mar 4, 2019
897
1,413
93
I give credit to Murphy on the win, but you are a type of fan that you are describing above. You already stated excuses all week before the game started if Murphy lost. Murphy was not head and shoulders better than Starmount. Our defense has been legit all year and shut down Clem who I consider one of the top players in WNC well below what he was doing the previous weeks.

Hope to see you all next year at our place! A place that we treat our guests with respect and even feed the visiting playoff team a post-game meal win or lose.