The 2A State Championship offers a geographical and philosophical clash between the East and the West, featuring the Tarboro Vikings and the Murphy Bulldogs, two of the most reliable championship programs in the state. This is their first-ever meeting, ensuring a historic outcome and guaranteeing one program will add another prestigious trophy to an already packed case.
The Tarboro Vikings are arguably the most consistent program in the state, making their 8th consecutive appearance in the state championship game, a new NCHSAA record that may stand forever. This remarkable streak is a testament to the culture built by Coach Jeff Craddock over 22 seasons. Craddock, with a career record of 261-47, has the sixth-most wins at a single school in NCHSAA football history and is making his 14th appearance in a state final. His sustained excellence is unmatched in modern North Carolina football.
Tarboro enters the game making its 17th total championship appearance, holding a strong 10-6 record in those games, including last year's 1A title. The Vikings are built on a philosophy of discipline, ball control, and punishing physicality, a style often necessary to win eight regional titles in a row. They average 42.4 points per game while allowing just 8.9, with six shutouts showcasing their defensive dominance.
The offensive centerpiece is senior running back Kamerin McDowell-Moore, the 2024 1A State Championship MVP who has rushed for over 2,000 yards and 30 touchdowns this season. McDowell-Moore, an Elon commit and Shrine Bowl participant, is the Eastern Plains Conference Player of the Year. His combination of speed, power, and vision makes him one of the state's elite backs. He's equally dangerous in the return game and contributes on defense.
Senior Tyler Powell is a two-way force, serving as quarterback and defensive end. From his DE position, Powell has recorded 13.0 sacks, earning him Eastern Plains Defensive Player of the Year honors and a Shrine Bowl selection. Senior Jhalen Pharr-McNair provides versatility as an athlete who impacts the game at running back and outside linebacker, while senior Keivious Bridgers contributes at tight end and linebacker.
The Vikings' dominance has been complete, outscoring playoff opponents 193-19, including shutout victories over Camden County (52-0) and Warren County (40-0). They're riding a 24-game winning streak dating back to last season, demonstrating remarkable consistency and championship pedigree. The key regular season victory came against Kinston (42-35), a hard-fought win that Coach Craddock cited as the team's most galvanizing moment.
The Murphy Bulldogs (12-2) are equally storied in the mountains of North Carolina. This is their 13th appearance in the final, where they own an impressive 9-3 record. Head Coach Joseph Watson, in his fifth season with a 51-17 record, is a Murphy graduate who understands what the program means to the community. He's continued the Bulldogs' tradition of excellence, bringing them back to the championship stage for the first time since their 2020-21 title.
Murphy thrives on a rugged defense and a methodical, effective run game that takes advantage of the size and strength of their linemen. Junior running back Cameron Clem is the offensive engine, having rushed for 1,647 yards and 30 touchdowns while averaging nearly 120 yards per game. Clem, the Smoky Mountain Conference Back of the Year, is a three-year varsity player whose production has been exceptional all season.
Senior quarterback Brady Grant, a Smoky Mountain All-Conference selection, manages the offense efficiently, while senior receiver Ryan Payne provides the deep threat at 33.2 yards per game. Payne is also a two-time All-WNC selection and contributes significantly on defense at free safety.
The defense is anchored by senior linebacker Brody Orton (9.8 tackles per game) and senior defensive end Camden Breazeale (8.0 sacks), both All-SMC selections. Senior Dalton Farmer provides linebacker depth, while sophomore Anthony Catuto has emerged as a contributor at linebacker and tight end. The Bulldogs average 38.4 points per game while allowing 13.6, with four shutouts demonstrating their defensive capability.
Murphy's path to the final has been paved by a defense that has consistently shut down Western opponents. After a challenging start that included losses to Heard County (Georgia) and A.C. Reynolds, the Bulldogs have won 10 straight, including playoff victories over Albemarle (57-14), Community School of Davidson (62-20), Corvian Community (49-40), and a defensive gem against Starmount (14-2).
Watson emphasizes his team's selfless approach: "A big part of our success this year has been our guys completely buying into their roles. Nobody's worried about touches or stat lines, they're locked in on doing their job and doing it well."
The Matchup: The key to this game will be ball security and tackling. Tarboro's defense will face a Murphy running back in Clem who is adept at finding seams and breaking tackles, while Murphy must contain the speed and misdirection in Tarboro's run game, which can break for big plays at any moment with McDowell-Moore.
Both teams run similar offensive philosophies, power running games that control the clock and wear down opponents. The difference may come down to explosive plays and which defense can force the critical turnover. Tarboro's experience in championship games and their 24-game winning streak suggests they know how to win in these moments, but Murphy's program pedigree and defensive discipline means they won't be intimidated by the stage.
For both schools, a victory adds another prestigious title to an already packed trophy case, but for Tarboro, a win would extend one of the most legendary championship streaks in NCHSAA history. The game promises a full 48-minute, trench-warfare slugfest between two programs that represent the best of small-town North Carolina football. The 424-mile distance between Tarboro and Murphy represents the entire breadth of the state, making this a true East-West championship showdown.
Tarboro Vikings (14-0) vs. Murphy Bulldogs (12-2)
December 13 (Sat) at Moretz Stadium
Kickoff: 5:00 p.m.
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