By Lenna Proctor | [email protected]

Murray High School football started the season off strong with a big win against Hillcrest and Copper Hills followed by a close loss to Northridge, as well a loss to Olympus. Coach Todd Thompson believes that this year they had a chance to be better than 3-3. 

During a game in mid-September against Park City they had three players injured: the quarterback, a running back and a member of the offensive line. As difficult as the injuries were at the time, Thompson said that “it allowed the team the opportunity to make some shifts in the lineup that will ultimately allow the team to be more competitive.” 

He is optimistic regarding the remaining games. Thompson said it will be difficult to guess where Murray will rank heading into state. With three games remaining in October and the larger number of teams in the 5A region (there are currently 32, there is a chance only 24 will advance to the state tournament) team placement this season will be based on the end of season RPI. A formula averages three components: a team's winning percentage, opponents' winning percentage and opponents' opponents winning percentage. Factoring in the three teams they still have to play and their percentages as well as their opponents’ percentage takes away any room for speculation or assumption. It will be a waiting game until the final region game has been played.

Murray’s three remaining games in October are Murray at Highland on Oct. 1, home against East on Oct. 7, and home against Brighton on Oct. 13.

Murray varsity has 13 seniors this year who have played together since they were young. Thompson wanted players to know how “thankful he is for the opportunity to coach these boys, each one has a special place in my heart for the things they have done for this program.”