Murray dominated time of possession — and kept Caldwell County’s running game largely in check — while advancing in the Class 2A playoffs.
Rowdy Sokolowski scored three touchdowns as Murray moved on with a 27-13 victory Friday night over visiting Caldwell at Ty Holland Stadium.
Sokolowski’s first TD came on a big special teams play by Murray. Kainoa Olive blocked a Caldwell punt, and Sokolowski scooped it up and returned it 22 yards for a score. That came late in the first quarter and helped stake Murray to a 7-0 lead.
Murray (8-2) struck again late in the first half on a 16-yard scoring run by Xavier Biggers. That put the home team up 14-0 and left Caldwell trying to play catchup the rest of the night.
Caldwell did catch a break just before halftime to get back in it.
After forcing a Murray punt, Caldwell’s Isaiah Joyner returned the kick 24 yards to the Murray 31. Back-to-back personal fouls on Murray then moved the ball all the way to the 8-yard line.
Two plays later, Jack Stevens scored on a 1-yard quarterback keeper. The PAT was blocked, but Caldwell trailed just 14-6 at halftime.
However, a big break went Murray’s way early in the second half. With Caldwell crossing midfield on the opening drive of the third quarter, Caldwell’s Max Kramer was ruled to have fumbled near the Murray sideline even though he appeared to clearly be down on the play.
That took away any momentum Caldwell had been gaining, and gave Murray a gift turnover at its own 44.
Murray cashed in on that drive, going 56 yards on eight runs. Sokolowski carried the final 12 yards to the end zone to make it 20-6 at the 6:40 mark of the third quarter.
Sokolowski added a 5-yard touchdown run with 9:53 to play to help stretch the lead to 27-6 and put Caldwell up against the ropes.
Caldwell (7-4) put together a deep drive late. A 28-yard completion from Stevens to Logan Chambliss got the ball to the 10. Caldwell literally got to within inches of the goal line before turning the ball over on downs with 5:13 left in the game.
Caldwell did get on the scoreboard again on a 2-yard pitch from Stevens to Chambliss. That was set up by a 56-yard connection down the middle to Logan Smiley. But the score came with just 1:19 to play, cutting the Murray lead to 27-13.
Murray had 277 yards of offense, with 241 coming on the ground.
Caldwell had 184 yards, but just 77 in the rushing category.
Murray held the ball for 32:25 of the 48-minute contest.
Caldwell won the regular-season matchup between the two teams 20-14 in Murray. However, Murray has now taken five straight meetings from Caldwell in the playoffs.
Murray visits Mayfield next week. Mayfield routed Ballard Memorial 60-0 in its first-round game on Friday.
