Friday Night Lights: Ups and Downs, Havre's Trey Murphy keeps slinging it

When it comes to high school football, no two seasons are the same and there may be no one that knows that better than Havre High starting quarterback Trey Murphy.

Murphy, a two-year starter for the Blue Ponies, assumed the job last season under head coach Ryan Gatch and by all accounts, played well. His junior season saw him throw for 1,161 yards along with 10 touchdown passes and eight interceptions. Murphy was also 5-3 as a starter and was named Second-Team All-Conference in the Central A for his efforts, even though his season was cut short with an injury.

Murphy, who is a four-sport athlete, playing basketball and tennis for Havre High, as well as American Legion baseball for the Havre North Stars, looked to be in store for big things in 2017, only on the gridiron at least, it hasn't played out that way as his team sports an 0-7 record heading into tonight's home finale at Blue Pony Stadium against Livingston (0-7).

"The season hasn't really gone the way that we hoped, but I do think that we have a lot of talented guys," Murphy said, "even guys that can play at the next level. We just, for some reason, haven't been able to put it all together."

While Murphy's season has been filled with ups and downs, he has still put up solid numbers. Through seven games, he has 1,161 yards passing and eight touchdown passes. But whether it's been a bad play or a good play, Murphy's focus has always been on what's next and with two games left to go, it continues to be.

"I think that all good quarterbacks are gunslingers," Murphy said. "Even Brett Favre at one time had the most touchdown passes, but he also had the most interceptions, too. You just have to keep slinging and just keep giving yourself a chance."

Despite the fact that Havre has yet to find the win column, Murphy has been doing his best to give his team a chance. Against Glendive, a game in which Havre led in the fourth quarter, the senior threw for 282 yards and two touchdowns, before HHS eventually lost 36-26.

Then the very next week against Sidney, Murphy was 15-of-20 for 186 yards and two more touchdowns. He also threw just one interception and didn't have an incompletion until late in third quarter. Havre ultimately lost the game, but in large part because of Murphy's performance, the Ponies found themselves tied 14-14, midway through the third quarter with a team many see as a bonafide state title contender.

That game was a reminder of just how good Murphy can be. He may not be a prototype quarterback or have elite arm strength, but he's a gamer, and he has the smarts that make him a special quarterback, and in his two years, no game exemplified that better then in his junior year against Miles City.

With his team down 12-0 early in the fourth quarter to the Cowboys, and in the shadow of his own goal line, Murphy hit Havre wide receiver Michael Loftus on a touchdown pass that covered 82 yards. Minutes later, he threw another scoring strike to Isaac Warp, which came on a fourth-and-seven and wound up giving the Ponies a 13-12 come-from-behind win.

"When I look back, I think those two throws against Miles City are the ones I will remember most," Murphy said. "The first was to Loftus and he went, like, 80 yards for a touchdown. Then I threw another touchdown to Isaac Warp and that put us in the lead. Of all my passes, those are the ones I will remember most."

Moments like that have been hard to come by this season for Murphy and the Ponies, but tonight against the Rangers, he will have one last chance to lead his team to victory and ultimately, to make one final statement about his two years as Havre's starting quarterback.

"I just want to be remembered as someone who was a good leader and who always kept fighting and competing," Murphy said. "But if we can get the win, it would be huge, because as rough as this season has been, if we can win our final home game, it's going to be something that you always remember as part of your high school career."

Murphy and the rest of the senior class celebrate senior night when the Ponies host Livingston inside Blue Pony Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7.