MURPHY, NC (WRCB) -- Murphy football knows the pain that comes with a failed extra point in a crucial postseason game.
But it also knows the joy.
After failing to convert a single extra point in a 22-21 loss to Wallace-Rose Hill in last year's Class 1A state championship game, a missed PAT by Albermarle in last week's Western Regional Final is offering the Bulldogs a shot at redemption.
Murphy knocked off their heavily-favored hosts 42-41 in double-overtime when two-time defending Class 1AA champ Albermarle missed the tying extra point. The Bulldogs will now face Jones County (10-4) in the Class 1A title game looking for their first state championship since 1996.
What made it even more special is the route David Gentry's team took to Raleigh, where Friday night's championship contest will be held at North Carolina State's Carter-Finley Stadium.
The Bulldogs' 2010 championship game run was expected with a load of experienced senior talent. The current journey in 2011 wasn't.
Murphy started 0-3 after being depleted by graduation, but refused to quit. The Dogs have since reeled off 11 wins in their last 12 games, with the lone setback coming to Class 1AA state finalist Swain County.
They've averaged 48.5 points per game in four playoff wins, including 56 points in a sectional win over rival Andrews, and 54 in an opening round rout of Allegheny.
"I don't want to beat a dead horse, but no one expected us to be here. No one gave us a chance," Gentry told the Asheville Citizen-Times last weekend. "It's just a huge accomplishment for these kids to have this chance."
