HICKORY – Tarboro captured its 10th NCHSAA state championship and second consecutive title with a 22-0 shutout of Murphy on Friday night at Helen and Leonard Moretz Stadium at Lenoir-Rhyne University, continuing a dynasty that has produced four crowns in the past six years.

The first-time championship matchup between two programs with rich title traditions brought eastern and western North Carolina together at a neutral site roughly equidistant from both schools. Tarboro coach Jeff Craddock's Vikings improved to 14-0, while Murphy finished 12-2 in its bid for another state crown.

Kamerin McDowell-Moore powered the Vikings with 190 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries, including a 70-yard scoring run that opened the floodgates in the third quarter. The senior running back averaged 11.2 yards per carry and added 15 tackles on defense, delivering a complete performance on both sides of the ball.

Murphy controlled possession for much of the first half, holding the ball for nearly 21 minutes while Tarboro had just over nine minutes. The Bulldogs moved the ball methodically behind Cameron Clem, who rushed 23 times for 64 yards, and quarterback Brady Grant, who completed 12 of 19 passes for 125 yards.

The Bulldogs drove deep into Tarboro territory on their opening possession, reaching the Vikings 19-yard line before turning the ball over on downs. Murphy converted on fourth-and-one early in the second quarter and pushed into the red zone, getting as close as the Tarboro 24 before another turnover on downs with 5:24 left in the half.

Tarboro took advantage of the momentum shift. Starting from their own 30-yard line with 1:44 remaining in the second quarter after an interception by Carmello Bullock, the Vikings marched 47 yards in seven plays. McDowell-Moore gained nine yards to the Murphy 41, then the Vikings benefited from a 15-yard face mask penalty. Antonio Draughn Jr. picked up three yards for a first down, and Tyler Powell rushed 15 yards to the Murphy 23 as time expired.

The third quarter belonged to Tarboro. On the first play from scrimmage after halftime, McDowell-Moore broke loose for a 70-yard touchdown run at 11:43. Angel Gaytan-Medina's extra point attempt was blocked by Dalton Farmer, leaving the score 6-0.

Murphy responded with a 12-play drive that reached the Tarboro 41, but Clem was stopped for a two-yard loss on fourth-and-one. The Vikings took over and drove 59 yards in 10 plays, reaching the Murphy 29 before punting with 3:40 left in the third quarter.

The Bulldogs started the ensuing drive at their own one-yard line. After three plays netted just three yards, Grant completed an 11-yard pass to Clem on third-and-eight for a first down. On the next play, Grant rushed 15 yards but fumbled at the Murphy 19. McDowell-Moore forced the fumble, and Bullock recovered at the Murphy 26 with 1:15 remaining in the third quarter.

Tarboro needed just four plays to capitalize. McDowell-Moore gained five yards on third-and-five, then broke free for a 16-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter at 11:32. Caiden Evans' two-point conversion attempt failed, making it 12-0.

The Vikings defense continued to pressure Grant, who was sacked three times for 34 yards. Donovan Willis recorded one sack for four yards and finished with seven tackles, including two tackles for loss. Tyler Powell had two sacks for 30 yards and added three tackles for loss.

Murphy's final chance to score ended in disaster. After a short punt gave the Bulldogs the ball at their own seven-yard line following two delay of game penalties, Grant was sacked in the end zone by Willis for a safety with 3:55 left in the game, extending Tarboro's lead to 14-0.

Following the free kick, the Vikings needed just one play to seal the victory. McDowell-Moore took a handoff and raced 27 yards for his third touchdown at 3:50. Powell converted the two-point attempt, making the final score 22-0.

Tarboro finished with 282 rushing yards on 41 carries, averaging 6.9 yards per attempt. Evans added 38 yards on nine carries, and Powell rushed for 24 yards on four attempts while also playing quarterback and completing the two-point conversion.

Murphy gained 218 total yards but managed just 93 yards rushing on 44 attempts, averaging 2.1 yards per carry. Grant was sacked three times and rushed nine times for minus-one yard. Blake Davis caught two passes for 37 yards and rushed for 21 yards. Ryan Payne caught six passes for 45 yards and added five tackles on defense.

The Vikings converted six of 10 third downs and controlled the line of scrimmage throughout the second half. Amarion Andrews recorded seven tackles with a tackle for loss, while Evans contributed six tackles from his linebacker position.

Camden Breazeale led Murphy's defense with 11 tackles and a tackle for loss. Brody Orton added seven tackles with a tackle for loss, and Ryan Payne finished with five tackles.

Tarboro's defense held Murphy scoreless despite the Bulldogs possessing the ball for more than 32 minutes. The Vikings forced one fumble, recorded one interception, and held Murphy to 0-for-1 in the red zone.

The victory extends Tarboro's championship legacy and marks the program's 14th consecutive victory. Murphy finished the season 12-2, falling short in its bid for a state championship.

Key Statistics:

• Kamerin McDowell-Moore: 17 rushes for 190 yards and 3 TDs; 15 tackles
• Tarboro total offense: 282 yards (282 rushing, 0 passing)
• Murphy total offense: 218 yards (93 rushing, 125 passing)
• Third down conversions: Tarboro 6-10, Murphy 6-13
• Turnovers: Murphy 2 (1 fumble, 1 interception), Tarboro 0
• Sacks: Tarboro 3 for 34 yards, Murphy 0
• Time of possession: Tarboro 27:15, Murphy 32:45

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.

The Bulldogs set the tone early, chewing up 5:39 off the first-quarter clock as they marched 11 plays and 88 yards to go up 6-0 on a two-yard touchdown plunge by Ty Laney with 3:16 to go in the opening quarter. Then the Bulldog defense went to work and shifted the field position in Murphy’s favor. After turning the ball over at the four-yard line, Murphy’s defense forced a Northside punt.

On the next play from scrimmage, Murphy Quarterback Kellen Rumfelt launched a 55-yard bomb to Isra Smith for a touchdown, lifting the Bulldogs to a 14-0 lead after a successful two-point try, which they maintained through the halftime break. Rumfelt paced the Bulldog attack, throwing for 254 yards and the single touchdown on his way to being selected as the Most Valuable Player of the Game. Payton McCracken garnered Most Outstanding Offensive Player honors for Murphy hauling in five passes for 113 yards in the game.

The Murphy defense was stingy all afternoon, holding Northside to just 198 yards of total offense and six first downs. The Bulldog defense was keyed by Ray Rathburn who broke up a pass along with seven tackles in the game as he was chosen as Murphy’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player.

The lone score for Northside came in the third quarter as James Gorham, the state’s leading rusher this season according to MaxPreps.com, rolled off a 73-yard touchdown trot with 9:19 to go in the third, trimming the Murphy lead to 14-7. Gorham was selected as Northside’s Most Outstanding Performer offensively. The Northside defense kept the Panthers in the game, led by Tyler Harris who picked up nine tackles in the game on his way to Most Outstanding Defensive honors for the Panthers.

Murphy wrapped up the season 10-1. The Bulldogs were 5-1 in Smoky Mountain 1A play. Murphy secured the program’s 13th Regional Title, appearing in the State Championship Game for the first time since winning the 1A title in 2018.

Northside-Pinetown finished the season 8-3. The Rams were 3-2 in Coastal Plains 1A play. They were Regional Champions for the second time in school history and the first time since 2000.

The NCHSAA is committed to recognizing and promoting good sportsmanship and has partnered with the NC Farm Bureau to highlight individuals from each State Championship event who exemplify the ideals of outstanding sportsmanship. The 2020-2021 1A Sportsmanship Award recipients were James Gorham from Northside-Pinetown and Rashad Davis from Murphy.

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

3:16 – MUR – T. Laney 2 yard run (T. Laney run failed) – MUR 6-0 (11 plays, 88 yards, 5:39)

Second Quarter

5:52 – MUR – I. Smith 55 yard pass from K. Rumfelt (T. Laney pass from K. Rumfelt good) – MUR 14-0 (1 play, 55 yards, 0:09)

Third Quarter

9:19 – NS – J. Gorham 73 yard run (C. Tomaini kick good) – MUR 14-7 (2 plays, 73 yards, 0:52)

Fourth Quarter

No Scoring

Story courtesy of the NCHSAA