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487 rushing yards. 455 receiving yards. 21 touchdowns. That’s what senior wide receiver Antavious Murphy and senior running back Keenan Phillips accomplished in region play this season — and why they earned the title of Region 1-4A Co-Players of the Year.

“Our offense was built around being able to attack every part of the field,” Littleton said. “When you’re able to give the ball to Keenan or throw it out horizontally or vertically to Antavious, the defense has to cover the entire field.”

Murphy recorded 19 catches for 415 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in the region. The wide receiver also recorded five rushing attempts for 76 yards and one touchdown. 

His standout performance in the region came against Westover, the first game of the region schedule. Murphy finished the night with 153 total scrimmage yards and three touchdowns— including a 62-yard rushing touchdown on the second play of the game. 

This season is Murphy’s second year being named Region 1-4A Offensive Player of the Year. He earned the title for the first time in 2022. 

Phillips was the feature back for the Bearcats in the 2023 season.  In the region, he ran the ball 44 times for 411 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns. Phillips also saw moderate work in the passing game, bringing in three receptions for 40 receiving yards and one touchdown. Phillips also found the endzone on special teams— He returned the opening kickoff against Hardaway for a touchdown.

The highlight of his region resume was his game against Shaw. The Shaw matchup served as Bainbridge High School’s homecoming ceremony, where Phillips was crowned Homecoming King. King Phillips rushed nine times for 115 yards and three touchdowns against the Raiders. He also caught one pass for 15 yards. 

This season is Phillips’ third year receiving region recognition. He was named Player of the Year in the 2022 season and earned a spot on the 2021 All-Region team.

Murphy and Phillips are the two highest-recruited Bearcats from this season. Murphy is verbally committed to Georgia Southern University, and Phillips is recently de-committed from James Madison University. The three-star prospect is now working with schools and coaches who have shown interest in him to further his academic and athletic career.

 

Murphy’s 2023 season stats 

• 64 receptions
• 1127 receiving yards (17.6 yards/reception)
• 16 receiving touchdowns
• 10 carries
• 217 rushing yards (21.7 yards/carry)
• 5 rushing touchdowns

 

Phillips’ 2023 season stats

• 194 carries
• 1470 rushing yards (7.5 yards/carry)
• 22 rushing touchdowns
• 15 receptions
• 213 receiving yards (14.2 yards/reception)
• 1 receiving touchdown