BY BOO NEWSOME
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
SALYERSVILLE — Martin County lost a close contest to Magoffin County 16-14 Friday on the road.
The Cardinals scored first with senior running back Brock Messer’s 15-yard rush up the middle. Kicker Caleb Horn added the extra point to give the Cardinals a 7-0 lead.
Magoffin County running back Ian McCarty responded, punching in a one-yard touchdown run and narrowing the lead to 7-6. The Hornets opted for a two-point conversion, with quarterback Dayson Burchett throwing a pass to Aden Barnett to secure the lead at 8-7 by the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Cardinals mishandled the kickoff return, yielding possession to the Hornets. Burchett connected with Russell Cruz on a 26-yard pass for Magoffin’s second touchdown and a 14-7 lead. Once again, the Hornets chose to go for a two-point conversion, which Burchett completed by rushing across the goal line, making it 16-7.
The Cardinals did not back down. Messer scored his second touchdown on a 3-yard run early in the second half to close the gap to 16-13. Horn’s successful extra-point kick cut the Hornets’ lead to 16-14 before time expired on the game.
Messer led the way for Martin County with 111 rushing yards on 17 attempts, scoring two touchdowns. Madden Miller picked up 32 yards on eight carries. QB Jackson Miller carried seven times for 30 yards. Aiden Horn tallied 26 rushing yards on five carries.
Madden Miller tackled 16 Magoffin County players, five of which were solo tackles. Damien Cheek followed with two solo tackles for 14 total. Rafe Price had five solo and seven assisted tackles, including three for a loss. Devan Maynard had three solo and three assisted tackles. Messer had three solo and two assisted tackles. Julian Stafford added one solo tackle, four assisted tackles and two interceptions. Bryston Wells and Corey Parsley had five assisted tackles apiece. Zach Hamilton had four assisted tackles, while Brayden Estep had three. Aiden Horn and Noah Mollette had two assisted tackles apiece. David Scott and Joey Robinson added one solo tackle each. Chase Stacy, Brian Gantt and Timmy Horn each had an assisted tackle.
J. Jackson completed four of eight pass attempts for 56 yards.
A. Horn had one reception for 28 yards, Stafford had one for 13 yards, Maynard had one for 12 yards, and Estep had one reception for 5 yards.
C. Horn was a perfect two for two on special teams.
The Cardinals play at home Friday against Perry County Central. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
