WEST POINT — Marcus Murphy knows he runs the ball well.
The West Point High School senior isn’t boasting and or being cocky when he makes that statement. After three seasons as a fixture in the Green Wave offense, the Mississippi State commitment has earned a reputation as one of the state’s top players.
Opponents know about Murphy, too. They also are familiar with the talents of senior running back Chris Calvert, which is why some teams still are tempted to pack the box and dare West Point to beat them throwing the football.
Murphy wants teams that are considering that game plan they will do at their own peril.
“I am comfortable running the ball,” Murphy said. “I am not as comfortable throwing touchdowns and great balls. I felt good with myself Friday night throwing good balls.”
Last week, Murphy went 9-for-12 for 189 yards and three touchdowns to lead West Point to a 47-14 victory against Lafayette in its Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A, Region 1 opener.
Murphy and West Point (5-0, 1-0 region) will try to stay hot at 7 tonight when they play host to Center Hill in a Class 5A, Region 1 game.
Center Hill (0-5, 0-1) lost to Grenada 29-7 last week.
West Point High football coach Chris Chambless said Murphy works on his throwing every day in practice. The work has helped Murphy go 16-for-35 for 349 yards and five touchdowns (zero interceptions) this season. Against Lafayette, Murphy had season highs in completions, attempts, and yards.
The yardage total was a career high on the varsity level, eclipsing the 124-yard performance he had in a 47-21 victory against Lake Cormorant on Oct. 16, 2015. The completion percentage also was a career-best mark, while he tied a career high with the three touchdown passes. He also threw three in a 46-7 victory against Ridgeland on Nov. 13, 2015.
This season, Murphy is setting the tone for young quarterbacks like Jake Chambless, who has appeared in three games, and Gray Berry, who also has played in three games. Chambless is 12-for-18 for 251 yards and one touchdown. Berry is 4-for-6 for 42 yards.
“We don’t want people stacking the box on us,” Chambless said. “Out of every formation we have we want people to know we can throw the ball at any time, and they better respect that. He has been accurate enough and is throwing it to a couple of good receivers, too, which helps.”
But Murphy’s success throwing the football won’t change West Point’s style of play. The Green Wave still rely on a punishing ground game to fuel their attack, as evidenced by the fact Murphy leads the team with 644 yards (8,4 yards per carry) and nine touchdowns. West Point has attempted 218 rushes and 60 passes in five games.
Senior wide receiver Jason Brownlee, whose nickname is “J-Money,” leads the Green Wave with 14 catches for 339 yards (24.2 yards per catch) and two touchdowns, smiles when asked how much Murphy has improved as a thrower. As much as he would like Murphy and the other quarterbacks to throw it more, he knows he has a job to do and has developed great chemistry with Murphy thanks to hours or preparation in the offseason.
Jerni White (six catches for 87 yards, one touchdown) and tight end Semaje Harris (three for 85, two touchdowns) also are popular targets for Murphy.
“Over the summer, I barely threw the ball because I was at slot receiver,” Murphy said. “But when the season came I started throwing the ball and I got better at it. You don’t have to be as accurate with our receivers because if you put it in the air they will go get it.”
Chambless said White, whose nickname is “Shug,” has great hands and is a dangerous weapon, especially if teams opt to double-team Brownlee, which Noxubee County decided to do.
“There are a lot of things we’re able to do,” Chambless said. “(Marcus) has taken anything we have asked him to do seriously.”
Murphy knows he most likely won’t play quarterback at MSU. He isn’t thinking that far ahead, though, because he is focused on being the best quarterback and teammate he can be to lead the Green Wave to another MHSAA Class 5A State title.
Just like opponents know about Murphy, Calvert, and many of the other Green Wave players, Murphy knows people probably don’t have enough respect for his team’s ability to throw the football. Don’t worry because Murphy will keep working at it. He might even surprise you by the end of the year and feel a little more comfortable throwing “great” balls.
“We’re a running team,” Murphy said. “Once we throw the ball it wakes them up and gives us the advantage to do both. They never know what we’re going to do.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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