Murphy’s passing lifts North football over Notre Dame
By Bob Nuse, Sports Editor
Kevin Murphy has not had to throw the ball as much this year, but that’s fine with him.
Murphy, a senior quarterback at West Windsor-Plainsboro North, has the luxury of playing in an offense that has been producing great results in the running game. But when he has been called on to pass the ball, Murphy has delivered.
”We have some great athletes at the running back position and our offensive line has come together and exceeded expectations with how well they have blocked,” Murphy said. “Coach (Jeff Reilly) has said he knows we want to pass and we’ll pass when we need to.
”Teams have been preparing for the run. Against Hightstown we only threw the ball three times because we had three 100-yard rushers. It gives us an advantage where we can have success on all facets of offense.”
Last week Murphy and the Knights found themselves in a position where they needed to throw the ball more and the passing game delivered. Murphy completed 14 of 19 passes for 304 yards and five touchdowns as North topped Notre Dame, 35-32, to improve to 4-2 on the season.
Kevin Murphy is the Princeton Packet Athlete of the Week.
”We had to throw the ball some more, not so much because we couldn’t run but they got up early on us and we felt like we had to open it up,” said Reilly, who is in his first season as the Knights’ head coach. “It was what was working and with what they were giving us we had some good matchups so we went with it. It’s nice that Kevin is as good as he is and we have those options available to us.
”We always knew it was there but we wanted to really develop our running game because we knew we had equally good athletes at those positions.”
With Robert Peterson and C.J. Markisz leading the way the Knights running attack has been prolific. But on a night when the passing attack needed to come through, Murphy was able to remind people he did throw for over 2,400 yards last year.
”When Coach Reilly first came in he had a meeting and told us what his goals were and what he was planning for the offense and defense,” Murphy said. “It was a little hard in the beginning with a new offense and learning a new system. But after getting used to it the first couple games it all has come together. We all support his plan and what he is teaching.”
The win over Notre Dame was the fourth of the season for the Knights, who won three games a year ago. They started last year 0-5 but after snapping what had become a 17-game losing streak, the Knights went 3-2 in the second half of the season.
”There is a whole new attitude with our team,” Murphy said. “Winning those three games last year was huge. Winning is addictive, especially after a 17-game losing streak. Once you start winning you don’t want to stop. It has been good for our team and for our chemistry.”
And for Murphy, winning trumps whatever stats he might put up by passing the ball more often.
”We passed a lot against Notre Dame but that was not originally the plan,” Murphy said. “The plan was supposed to be a balanced attack. Notre Dame did a good job stropping the run and the coaches let us open up the playbook.
”Coach Reilly always says we take one game at a time and see what is working and what works we’ll stick with.”
Peterson caught three of the touchdown passes, while Malik Thompson added two touchdown receptions. The Knights trailed, 20-14, at the half and were able to rally for the win.
”Kevin is a calm person,” Reilly said. “He never gets really emotional or worked up. He’s pretty even keeled and it benefits him. He is very calm and collected and very cerebral. That helps on the football field. He is such a competitor. That is what really gets him going. He knows when things are right or wrong and is not afraid to speak up and take charge.”
Murphy likely gets some of that calming nature from the golf course. He is a talented golfer and plans to pursue the sport in college.
”All of my football friends mostly play lacrosse,” Murphy said. “They joke and ask how I can go from football to golf. But I was swayed to it when I was younger and I have always loved golf.”
Right now, however, his focus is on football. The Knights are tied with Princeton at the top of the West Jersey Football League’s Valley Division. Both teams have 3-0 marks in the division and will face each other in the regular-season finale on Nov. 7. North is also battling for a spot in the Central Jersey Group IV playoffs. The Knights are currently eighth in the section and the top eight teams make the playoffs.
”Our group is a lot stronger this year than last year,” said Murphy, who helped the Knights make the playoffs with just three wins last year. “I was looking at the standing and there are a lot of teams with one loss and two losses. We know we have to keep winning to have a chance.”