WEST POINT — The numbers tell the story for Marcus Murphy.
Whether it is 4,560 or 1,630, the senior quarterback/running back has been a part of a dominating season for the West Point High School football team.
The first number is West Point’s rushing total through 14 games, which is believed to be a school record. The second number is Murphy’s team-leading total. Factor in 27 touchdowns for him and 23 more for senior Chris Calvert and you can see why West Point (14-0) has steamrolled nearly every opponent in its way this season.
You also could factor in numbers 645 and 88 — the points the Green Wave have scored and allowed — to expand on the degree of dominance Murphy and the senior class have orchestrated.
But there is one individual statistic Murphy takes more in when he is asked to choose one. Instead of toeing the party line and choosing a rushing stat, Murphy points to the 977 and says that’s the one.
“The passing yards (is most impressive to me) because that is what we practiced on for most of the summer,” Murphy said. “That has played a big factor in us having a dual-threat offense.”
Whether it has been at quarterback or running back, Murphy has been one of the engines that has helped drive No. 1 seed West Point to a matchup against No. 1 Hattiesburg (14-0) at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A State championship at Ole Miss’ Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford.
West Point defensive line coach Roger Burton said Murphy has been one of the team leaders who has kept the Green Wave focused in pursuit of their second-straight state title.
“Every team around here that has been great has always had an alpha dog type personality,” Burton said. “He has been for the most part the alpha dog of the senior class. We have more than just him (LeDarrius) Glover, (Terence) Cherry (Xavier), (Jason) Brownlee, (Chris) Calvert, and the Price twins (Jameek and Zameek) on the offensive line and others in the senior class, but Marcus is kind of like the general.”
It’s no secret West Point loves to run the football. But Murphy’s maturation at quarterback has helped him team with junior Jake Chambless to expand the playbook for offensive coordinators Brett Morgan and Casey Welch.
Murphy’s development is reflected in another impressive number: zero. Welch said not throwing an interception speaks to Murphy’s growth as a quarterback and his ability to recognize defenses.
Murphy credits his offensive line for their work in helping him and the Green Wave have so much success. While Murphy knew he could count on an experienced offensive line entering the season, he said he wasn’t sure the offense would be as balanced as it has been. He said he and his teammates have worked hard to develop greater consistency in the passing games when teams dare them to beat them through the air.
Individually, Murphy said early in the season his goal was to continue to refine his technique at quarterback so he could direct a dual-threat attack. So far, Murphy said he hasn’t been surprised that he has met his goal.
“Once you set a goal, you have to try to reach it,” Murphy said. “I am going to keep moving forward and set another goal.”
Murphy, who has given a verbal commitment to play football at Mississippi State, most likely will play on defense at the next level. With one more chance to represent the Green Wave with his teammates, Murphy is focused on ending his prep career with another number: 15. A victory against Hattiesburg would help Murphy and his classmates win a second-straight state title, the program’s ninth overall, and record the first 15-0 season in program history.
“We have to work hard,” Murphy said. “It starts with the mental part. We have to fix all the little things.
“(Saturday’s game) is a chance for all of the seniors to do what we are supposed to do and fight for each other on the field.”
Burton said he saw the seeds for that work ethic when the seniors were ninth-graders working out in the weight room. He said Murphy and his classmates have helped set the tone ever since to help return West Point to its place as one of the state most dominant programs. If Murphy and his classmates have their way, they will end their careers with what could be the most impressive number of all.
“They’re just a hard working bunch and Marcus is the ring leader. (The seniors) want their legacy. They want to be 15-0. They want to be the first team at West Point to go 15-0.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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