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Murray • Big plays made a huge difference in Friday night's battle between neighboring Taylorsville and Murray.

Toa Maumau threw touchdown passes of 68 and 40 yards, leading the Warriors to a 17-13 win over the Spartans.

Taylorsville improved to 2-0 this season. Murray dropped to 1-1 in the penalty-filled contest that lasted nearly three hours and wasn't decided until a Warrior interception in the final 40 seconds.

Murray took a 3-0 lead on the first possession of the game.

The Spartans drove from their own 20 to the Taylorsville 32 when, on second down and 2, Maxs Tupai rumbled into the end zone.

The apparent touchdown was called because of a penalty, however, and Murray had to settle for Gage Cuthbertson's 27-yard field goal.

Late in the first quarter, the Spartans once again appeared to score. But Taylor Litson's 29-yard run was nullified by another penalty. Murray ended up having to punt.

With 2:55 remaining in the first half, Taylorsville struck for the game's first touchdown.

On second-and-14 from its own 32, Maumau found Josh Cox on a slant over the middle. Cox broke one tackle near midfield and outran two other defenders to the end zone, giving the Warriors a 7-3 lead at the half.

Taylorsville could not move on its opening possession of the second half and was forced to kick.

Murray's Mitch Rasmussen grabbed the punt at his own 20. He sprinted 51 yards to the Warrior 29. Three plays later, Litson took a draw play 24 yards for a touchdown that made it 10-7.

Taylorsville countered, however, with 55 seconds left in the third quarter.

It appeared Murray had stopped the drive when it held the Warriors on fourth-and-10 at the Spartan 40. But offsetting penalties gave Taylorsville another shot and Maumau took advantage of the opportunity.

He lofted a perfect strike to Jace Simons, who caught the ball along the sideline and tiptoed across the goal line, giving the Warriors a 14-10 lead.

The teams exchanged field goals in the fourth quarter, with Cuthbertson connecting from 39 yards and Chris Wright nailing a 17-yarder for Taylorsville. But The Warrior defense held the Spartans on their final three possessions to seal the victory. —

Taylorsville 17, Murray 13

• Taylorsville quarterback Toa Maumau throws two touchdown passes as the Warriors edge Murray.

• The Taylorsville defense stops the Spartans on their final three possessions to seal the victory.

• The Warriors improve their record to 2-0 with the hard-fought win. Murray slips to 1-1.