Murray scores 27 in 2nd quarter to handle Rockets

Crittenden's Zach Tinsley makes a tackle on Murray QB Dylan

Boone down the Rocket sideline as Noah Dickerson (23) dives

but misses getting a leg on the play.

MARION, Ky. – Murray crashed the Rockets' homecoming dance Friday night to the tune of its own drummer as Dante Howard scored three touchdowns for the fourth-ranked Tigers in a 41-0 win.

While Murray (6-1, 2-0) scored at will, punching touchdowns on its first six possessions, the Rockets brought anything but their A game to the party. Crittenden rushed for less than a yard per carry on 33 tries and quarterback Travis Gilbert completed half of six passes, but netted only a dozen yards. Meanwhile Murray piled up 355 yards total offense. Most of it came from Howard, a halfback in the Tigers' wishbone running attack. He picked up a game-high 117 yards on the ground and caught a touchdown pass from Tiger QB Dylan Boone, who was 4-for-6 for 104 yards.

Boone had plenty of time on his few passing plays. He threw only half dozen times, but four went for touchdowns.

"Murray is just solid. They beat us all the way around," Rocket coach Al Starnes surmised following his team's second shutout this season.

In fact, Crittenden's offense hasn't scored in three of its last four games. The last time that happened was way back in 1979.

"When we can't control the line of scrimmage, it's a problem," Starnes said. 

Murray's run defense dictates the way Starnes said he had to approach the game. And with the Tigers' closing speed, it's difficult to get anything going offensively.

Crittenden (3-4, 1-1) managed three first downs the first half and just one the second. Even when field position was good, Crittenden failed to capitalize. Twice the Rockets got the ball inside Murray's 35. The first time they went four and out, the second time they did manage to move the chains before turning the ball over on downs.

Defensive coordinator Vince Clark tries to get something going

during a timeout in the first half.

"The effort is there, but they just beat us up front. They're so quick," Starnes said. 

Rocket seniors Eli Bebout and Stephon Cozart were both hurt in the game. Neither appeared to be too severe, but Lane Wallace suffered a knee injury in the second half that could be a problem.

The game was played during a steady rain, but both teams took fairly good care of the football. Murray had the game's only turnover on a late fumble that was recovered by Jacob Young after teammate Alex Cosby scooted it several yards down field trying to get a handle on the wet ball.

The conditions limited Crittenden's passing attack and it was a problem on a fake-punt pass at a critical point in the first half when the Rockets trailed by just six. Deep in his own territory and facing fourth and 12, Noah Dickerson tried to pick up a first down but the ball slipped out of his hand on a passing attempt. 

By the fourth period, there were more people on the sideline than in the Rockets' stands. Just 27 people were in the homeside bleachers in the final period. However, many fans did watch from their vehicles on the west end hill near the bus garage.

Next week, Crittenden hosts Ballard Memorial, a team that has improved a great deal and beat Reidland easily Friday.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Murray               6     27     8     0

Crittenden Co. 0      0       0     0

SCORING PLAYS

M-Dante Howard 3 run (run failed) 4:56, 1st

M-Howard 30 run (Alex Ward kick) 11:10, 2nd

M-Howard 19 pass from Dylan Boone (Ward kick) 8:00, 2nd

M-DesJahvanni Miles 59 pass from Boone (Ward kick) 4:07, 2nd

M-Andre Phillips 45 pass from Boone (kick failed) 1:07, 2nd

M-Dylan Upchuch 23 pass from Boone (Upchurch pas from Peyton Glynn) 8:54, 3rd

TEAM TOTALS

First Downs: Crittenden 4, Murray 9

Penalties: Crittenden 5-42, Murray 4-30

Rushing: Crittenden 34-33, Murry 33-253

Passing: Crittenden 3-6-0, 12 yds., Murray 4-6-0, 102 yds.

Total Yards: Crittenden 45, Murray 355

Fumbles/Lost: Crittenden 1-0, Murray 3-1

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing

Crittenden: Grant Gardner 7-10, Clint Asbridge 1-12, Brenden Phillips 5-4, Zach Tinsley 7-21, Dylan Hollis 1-(-2), Jacob Young 6-1, Travis Gilbert 2-(-10). Murray: Howard 10-117, Alex Ward 1-(-11), Ryan Humphrey 1-3, Jaleel Lee 1-55, Miles 1-59, John Ryne Winchester 4-13, Boone 5-25, Glynn 3-25, Jacob Oakley 1-0, Tyler Smith 2-(-33).

Passing

Crittenden: Gilbert 3-6-0, 12 yds. Murray: Boone 4-6-0, 102 yds.

Receiving

Crittenden: Daniel Wagoner 1-10, Gardner 1-1, Knox 1-1. Murray: Howard 1-19, Upchurch 1-23, Phillips 1-45, Tre Hornbuckle 1-15.
Defense

Asbridge solo; Bebout 2 solos, 3 assists; Clark 3 solos, 4 assists; Cozart 5 solos, fumble recovery; Gardner solo; Gaston solo, assist; Knight 3 solos, assist, TFL, caused fumble; Knox 10 solos, assist, TFL; McDowell assist; Overfield 2 solos, sack; Roberts solo, assist, sack; Phillips 4 assists; Tinsley 2 solos; Dickerson solo, 3 assists, TFL; Stone solo, assist; Wallace solo; Young 2 solos, fumble recovery.
Pizza Hut Players of the Game
Lineman: Cozart, Defense: Knox.

Records: Murray 6-1 (2-0), Crittenden 3-4 (1-1)

Crittenden County senior Alyssa Leet (right) was among the few fans who braved the final half
as she sat with schoolmates on the top row of the almost empty bleachers at
Rocket Stadium. See next week's Crittenden Press for complete homecoming coverage.