BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
EASTERN — The Martin County High football team traveled to the top of the mountain at Floyd Central on Aug. 16 for a round-robin match-up with Floyd and defending state champ Pikeville.
“We got a little loose and got some big plays,” head coach Josh Muncy said after the scrimmages.
“Our line blocked, we had plenty of time to throw the ball, and our routes looked way sharper than as of recent,” he continued.
The Cards were ahead of the 2023 State Champion Panthers for most of the 10-minute quarter.
Down 6-0 to begin the period, quarterback Devan Maynard threw a 40-yard pass that bounced off a Panther defender’s helmet. Senior Jack Cline managed to somehow wrangle in the catch for a touchdown.
“I ran straight, and he shifted inside. I moved to the back and we both jumped for it, and I managed to catch it,” Cline said after the game.
Caleb Horn, who recently kicked a 50-yard field goal at a Cardinal practice, converted the extra point for a 7-6 lead.
The Martin County defense held the Panthers for a turnover on downs.
“Our defense looked like we’re flying to the football a little bit more. We’re running and delivering the hit instead of absorbing,” Coach Muncy said of his defenders.
Pikeville scored with 47.8 seconds remaining in the scrimmage.
Martin County was one dropped pass away from a possible touchdown and holding the Panthers.
“That was a good quarter of football. We’re going to sling it this year. We will run some screens and spread the love,” Muncy told his players. “Don’t get complacent, be ready to play.”
Maynard slung a pass from the 50-yard line with 4.4 seconds to Julian Stafford who ran it in from the 5 for a touchdown versus Floyd Central.
“A lot of hard work from our guys tonight,” Stafford said after his scrimmage-winning TD. “Dedication at practice is paying off. I put a lot of trust into my teammates.”
A team known for running the ball, the Cardinals are looking to depend on Maynard’s athleticism to add a new aspect to their game.
“We did pretty good in the second half, but it’s just preseason and we still have some stuff to work on,” multi-sport athlete Damian Cheek said.
Cheek is looking forward to “developing with my teammates and getting to be the best team we can be. Let’s see how far we can go.”
A vital addition to this year’s squad is Crayson Lafferty, a transfer from Paintsville.
“I had a great experience at the FCA wrestling camp and getting to know the boys better,” Lafferty said. “I think our pass blocks and routes looked good tonight. Our outside edge needs to work some on containing. Our O-line will work this week at practice, and we’ll be getting our running game ready for Hazard on Friday.”
Martin County begins the regular season Friday when they travel to take on the Hazard Bulldogs. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
