LITTLE ROCK — Peter Saygnaphay made sure it was another happy homecoming for Jeff Jones. Saygnaphay, a senior quarterback at Murfreesboro, earned the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Feat of the Week after carrying 24 times for 373 yards and 5 touchdowns in a 56-30 victory over Dierks in a 7-2A game Thursday night at Ayers Field in Dierks. Jones is a 1977 Dierks graduate and laughed when asked if he told Saygnaphay to take it easy on his alma mater.
“No, that was a big game, and it’s a big rivalry here,” said Jones, in his second stint as Murfreesboro’s coach. “Murfreesboro-Dierks is a big game.”
The victory meant the difference in the Rattlers (7-3, 5-1 7-2A) hosting a first-round playoff game, as a No. 2 seed, or hitting the road Friday night.
Blame it on the 5-11, 190-pound Saygnaphay, whose rushing total is believed to be a single-game school record, Jones said.
“I knew he had a bunch, but I wouldn’t have thought it was that much,” Jones said. “When I say a bunch, you know, 250, maybe, or something. Never even thought about it until people came up after the game and said that.”
Saygnaphay (pronounced SAY-a-pie) scored on runs of 56, 49 and 68 yards in the first half and 46 and 76 yards in the second half.
The Rattlers, who finished with more than 600 yards rushing, trailed 23-22 at halftime before scoring three touchdowns in the opening 3:07 of the third quarter.
Saygnaphay capped the flurry on a 46-yard run.
“He got good blocking,” Jones said. “That’s where it starts. Our offensive line was sound on their assignments and sustained their blocks. Peter’s got good vision and was just able to get through the hole. He’s got good speed, but he’s very explosive. He can run through tackles. It’s uncanny at times, the way he can break tackles.”
Jones said Saygnaphay triggers a Spread attack out of the Shotgun. Murfreesboro’s scheme, Jones said, mirrors what Coach Gus Malzahn runs at Arkansas State.
Jones said Saygnaphay gained the bulk of his yards on three plays — counters, inside zones and sweeps — and the career night pushed his season rushing total to 1,548 and 17 touchdowns on 186 carries.
“He’s a really good player,” Jones said. “I think he can play college football.”
Jones coached the Rattlers in 2010 before leaving to become principal at Wickes. He returned to Murfreesboro, which won only two games last fall, in the offseason.
At a glance
FEAT OF THE WEEK
NAME Peter Saygnaphay TEAM Murfreesboro CLASS Senior POSITION Quarterback HT./WT. 5-11, 190 pounds OPPONENT Dierks THE FEAT Ran for a school-record 373 yards in a 56-30 victory Thursday night at Dierks RUSHING 24 carries, 373 yards, 5 touchdowns
Sports, Pages 30 on 11/07/2012