HICKORY — Murphy football held Tarboro running back Kamerin McDowell-Moore, a 2,000-yard rusher in 2025, to just 27 rushing yards in the first half of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 2A state championship game.

He finally broke free on the second play from scrimmage to start the second half. He made two Bulldogs miss on the way to a 70-yard rushing touchdown. McDowell-Moore added two more for good measure.

His three second-half rushing touchdowns sealed a 22-0 win for Tarboro (15-0) over Murphy (12-3) in the NCHSAA 2A state championship game for its second consecutive title.

The Bulldogs' defense turned in an impressive performance in the first half. They limited Tarboro, which averages 351 rushing yards per game, to just 88 yards on 17 carries and six first down

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