Tonight is the 51st meeting between Murray and Trigg County in a series that dates back to 1939. Murray leads the all-time series 34-15-1 and has won the last three in a row and 10 of 12.
Trigg's last win over the Tigers came in the Monsoon of 1996 when the teams combined for 33 fumbles in a driving rainstorm. Trigg won 6-0. Ironically, that was the last Trigg County football game I missed. I was in Texas at my cousin's wedding. We met the Oak Ridge Boys after the wedding reception (they were staying in the same hotel as us), but that's another story for another time.
126 consecutive games later, here's some other notes and stats for Friday's game:
- The last time these schools played was the second round of the 2000 playoffs -- the last year Trigg County competed in Class 1A. Murray won 34-21 at Perdue Field. Since then, the programs have went in opposite directions. Trigg County's record has been 59-17 with seven playoff game victories. Murray has been 45-30, but with six playoff wins.
- Trigg County and Murray were district opponents in the 1950s and 1960s when both schools were 1A.
- The Wildcats are 7-17 against Murray at home but haven't beaten them at Perdue Field since a 12-7 win in the 1989 playoffs.
- The only other opponents Trigg County has played 50 times are Caldwell County (18-35-1 in 54 games) and Russellville (19-36-1 in 56 games)
- Trigg head coach Shannon Burcham is looking to become the first Wildcat coach to start his coaching career 4-0.
- Murray is 0-3 and has allowed 82 points. Trigg County is 3-0 and has allowed 76 points. The difference? Trigg is averaging 33 points a game offensively, while Murray is scoring 19 points a game.
- Antonio Grubbs has four interceptions in three games. The school record is eight by Derek Burcham in 2000.
- Brandon Bridges leads Trigg in rushing with 348 yards on 58 carries (6.0 ypc.). Donald Bush is 19-of-39 passing for 235 yards and three touchdowns. Seven different Wildcats have caught a pass, with Dustin White leading with four catches for 55 yards.
- Trigg's defense has 12 sacks in four games.
In other things I have missed over the first three games...
- When Calloway County's Tyrell Willis rushed for 174 yards against Trigg County on Aug. 31, it was the most rushing yards allowed by the Wildcats since Caldwell County's Kent Wells rushed for 255 yards on 20 carries in a 56-27 Caldwell win Sept. 27, 2002. It was the most by a Wildcat opponent since Murray's Bobby Smith ran for 195 on 19 carries and scored three times in Murray's 34-21 playoff win in 2000.
- When Brandon Bridges and Hopkinsville's Cardell McGregor returned kickoffs for touchdowns in the season opener, it was the first time both teams returned a kick for a score since Kelvin Grubbs and Todd County's William Stewart did the trick Oct. 10, 1997.
Airtime tonight on 106.5 WKDZ is 6:20pm for the Tailgate Show. The SEC Report will air at 6:06pm. You can hear the game live at www.wkdzradio.com
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