Garrett Murray of Dunmore High School’s football team was recently named Offensive Player of the Year. Murray has rushed for 1425 yards on 143 carries and scored 26 touchdowns through last Friday’s playoff game with Notre Dame-Green Pond.
By Steve Svetovich
Running back-linebacker Garrett Murray was a one-man wrecking crew in leading the Dunmore Bucks to the team’s second straight Lackawanna Football Conference District 2 Class AA title, 28-13, over Lake Lehman Friday, Nov. 20, at Gatto Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium, Dunmore.
The talented back rushed for 217 yards and two touchdowns on just 11 carries. On the defensive side at linebacker, he was equally ferocious making 12 tackles, including four solo. He also defended a pass. Many of the tackles came in key situations.
Murray opened the scoring with a 94-yard scamper for a touchdown with 8:12 left in the second quarter.
His 28-yard gallop for a touchdown came with 4:12 left in the contest. That score iced the game for Dunmore as the Bucks had a 28-7 lead following the extra point kick.
Dunmore sophomore back Colin Holmes added to the running attack with 78 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries. He scored on a 25-yard jaunt with 2:31 left in the first half giving Dunmore a 14-0 lead following the extra point kick.
The shifty Holmes scored again on a 15-yard bolt into the end zone with 10:47 left in the fourth quarter giving Dunmore (11-1) a commanding 21-0 lead following the extra point kick.
Dunmore’s brutal running game totaled 315 yards on 28 carries against Lake Lehman (10-2).
Murray’s 94 yard touchdown run came two snaps after he stifled Lake Lehman running back Nick Eury for a two yard loss on fourth and two from the Dunmore 6-yard line. He certainly has a flair for the dramatic.
Murray and Holmes credited the Dunmore offensive line for the strong running attack.
Nate O’Donnell’s one yard quarterback sneak cut Lake Lehman’s deficit to 21-7 following the extra point kick with 6:53 left in the game, but Murray came through with his 28-yard touchdown run putting the game out if reach.
The win sent Dunmore into the state playoffs once again in a matchup against Notre Dame Green Pond.
Dunmore defeated Northwest Area, 41-20, Friday, Nov. 13, at Dunmore, in the District 2, Class AA semifinal game.
Hard-nosed running back Pat Reese scored on runs from 78 and 39 yards out in the win. He rushed for 123 yards on three carries.
Holmes scored on runs from 26 and two yards out. He rushed for 56 yards on seven carries.
Kyle Lasher, another key Dunmore back known for his quickness, scored on a 58-yard run and rushed for 130 yards on seven carries in the contest.
Murray added 56 yards on seven carries.
The Bucks, led by veteran coach Jack Henzes, romped for a highly impressive 423 rushing yards on 39 carries in the win over Northwest Area.
Dunmore held a 34-0 lead with 10:36 left in the third quarter following Lasher’s touchdown run.
LATE UPDATE: Dunmore beat Notre Dame-Green Pond on Friday, Nov. 27, with Garrett Murray once again leading the team to a 51-29 victory in the PIAA Class AA first-round game at Northern Lehigh High School, Slatington. Murray scored 5 touchdowns and rushed for 177 yards on 28 carries.