MOBILE, Ala. – Foley scored 31 points in the first half and cruised to a 38-13 win over the Murphy Panthers on Friday in a Class 6A first round playoff game at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

Foley (8-3) advanced to play at Daphne (11-0) in the second round next Friday.

The Lions got a boost from Shaun Fields, who returned a fumble 40 yards for a touchdown as time expired in the first quarter and Foley led 21-0.

"I thought we came out and got off to a great start," Foley coach Todd Watson said. "We were moving the ball on offense and defensively we were able to get a couple turnovers, one that we scored on. We kind of grabbed momentum early. That's what we wanted to do, to come out and play fast and then finish."

After forcing a punt on Murphy's first drive, the Lions drove 61 yards in six plays, capped by a 5-yard touchdown run from Kalif Koen. Koen would finish with 18 carries for 106 yards.

Foley quarterback Darius Powell scored the first of his two touchdowns from five yards out later in the quarter, and Fields' touchdown gave Foley a 21-0 lead.

Jose Zepeda added a 25-yard field goal and Powell rushed for another touchdown before halftime.

Foley took advantage of great field position in the first half, starting inside Murphy territory on three first half drives and starting around its own 45 twice.

"That's something we talked about this week, about winning the battle of field position,' Watson said. "Fortunately our defense was able to get some stops when we had them down there which put our offense on a short field. I thought in the kicking game we had some good returns that gave us good field position as well."

Joseph Brister had a touchdown for the Lions in the second half.

Defensively, Fields had the fumble return, and interception and a sack, and Dre'Shon McGaster had a sack.

Below: Darius Powell carries for a touchdown for Foley against Murphy on Friday. Video by Eric Mann.

Below: Joseph Brister scores for Foley against Murphy. Video by Eric Mann.