Murphy Blanks Swain to Close Regular Season, Claims Another SMC Title

Bryson City, N.C. — The Murphy Bulldogs waltzed into Bryson City on Friday night with five straight wins — and they left with six. In a dominating performance that has become a familiar sight this season, Murphy shut out the Swain County Maroon Devils 28-0 to close out the regular season and clinch yet another Smoky Mountain Conference championship.

From the opening whistle, the Bulldogs looked every bit the powerhouse that’s rolled through the SMC for years. Murphy’s defense smothered Swain’s offense, keeping the Maroon Devils off the scoreboard for all four quarters. It was the Bulldogs’ fifth shutout in their last six games, a testament to the team’s grit and discipline on both sides of the ball.

Murphy’s offense, meanwhile, stayed steady and efficient, wearing down the Swain County defense with a balanced attack. The Bulldogs found the end zone in each half, never giving the Maroon Devils a chance to gain momentum.

Friday’s victory improved Murphy’s record to 8-2 overall, while Swain County fell to 6-4, ending what had been a three-game home winning streak.

The Bulldogs’ season has been a picture of dominance in conference play, with recent wins including a 50-7 rout of Hayesville, a 59-0 blowout at Andrews, and a 71-0 dismantling of Rosman. Even a close 17-10 win over Robbinsville earlier in October showed Murphy’s ability to grind out tough victories when needed.

Now, with the regular season behind them, the Bulldogs turn their attention to the state playoffs, where they’ll look to carry their momentum — and their championship pedigree — into November.

Once again, it’s autumn in the mountains, and that means one thing: Murphy football is marching on.