Photo Credit: Rich Banick/Rich Banick Photography
By Steve Svetovich
Dunmore senior back Garrett Murray capped an outstanding football season by being named Times-Tribune offensive player of the year and earning a spot on the Pennsylvania Football Writers Class AA all-state team.
The shifty back led the Dunmore Bucks district title football team with 1,530 yards rushing and an astonishing 27 total touchdowns.
He began to earn more playing time in veteran coach Jack Henzes’ offense as a junior in the PIAA playoff run. He played a bigger role as each game went on.
This season, he rushed for 177 yards and scored five touchdowns in Dunmore’s 51-29 win over Notre Dame-Green Pond in the PIAA Class AA opening round contest Friday, November 27, at Northern Lehigh High School.
His exploits helped lead Dunmore to its second straight District 2 Class AA championship. The Bucks lost in the PIAA Class AA quarterfinal game, 28-10, to West Catholic. Murray rushed for 76 yards in the loss to West Catholic.
Lake Lehman offensive lineman Connor McGovern was also selected to the Class AA all-state team. The 6-5, 310-pound senior center will enroll at Penn State.
Murray was part of an awesome group of backs that included Colin Holmes, Kyle Lasher and Pat Reese.
Murray and Holmes were considered a dynamic one-two combo as starters. Holmes was selected all-state last season.
The Bucks running game typically totaled well over 300 yards each game.
In two state playoff games this season, Murray rushed for 253 yards on 48 carries and scored six touchdowns.
A tough performer, Murray played often with two sore shoulders. One shoulder was surgically repaired in the off season,
The stalwart senior back finished his Dunmore football career with 2,309 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns, He particularly shined in the big games. He totaled 635 rushing yards and scored 10 touchdowns in six state playoff games.
Murray was a part of three Lackawanna Football Conference Division II titles in his three years with the Bucks.
Murray looked back at his fight through injuries and credited his teammates for helping to push him to success.
He was a threat in the backfield throughout the season.