BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — After finishing as the 2024 Class 2A Regional runner-up and reaching the third round of the state playoffs, the Martin County Cardinals return to the field with a loaded roster and the same gritty mentality that has defined the program in recent years.
Martin County finished 9-4 last fall including postseason wins over Pike County Central and Shelby Valley.
The 2025 campaign begins Aug. 22 at home against Lawrence County, one of several teams on the schedule the Cardinals did not face last season.
Head coach Josh Muncy is preparing for a significant roster turnover, following back-to-back senior-heavy teams that graduated more than 30 players over the last two years.
“There will be a lot of new faces on the field this year,” Muncy said. “Finding our identity in a new offense led by newly hired offensive coordinator Joe Stanley will be the goal going into preseason scrimmages and early-season games.”
Martin County’s early schedule will quickly test that process.
In Week 2, the Cardinals travel to Pike County Central on Aug. 29. Martin County defeated the Hawks twice last season with scores of 40-18 in the Pike County Bowl and 34-6 in the opening round of the playoffs.
Week 3 sends the Cardinals to Betsy Layne on Sept. 5 followed by a return home Sept. 12 to face Knox Central.
A familiar opponent from 2024 comes Sept. 19 when Martin County travels to Shelby Valley. The Cardinals edged the Wildcats 40-28 in the regular season and 32-22 in the playoffs last year making this one of the most anticipated rematches on the 2025 slate.
On Sept. 26 Martin County heads to Knott County Central. The Cardinals shut the Patriots out 49-0 at home last season.
The spooky season opens with a home game against Leslie County on Oct. 3.
After a bye week, the Cardinals travel to Floyd Central on Oct. 17. Last year, Martin County cruised to a 35-6 win over the Jaguars on the road.
The Cardinals return home Oct. 24 to face Prestonsburg, which narrowly defeated Martin County 22-21 last season in a heartbreaking road loss.
The regular season ends Oct. 31 at Paintsville. The Cards defeated the Tigers in the Harvest Fest Bowl 34-32 in a nail-biter at The Rock.
While the offense is undergoing a transition, Muncy said the defense remains in steady hands under longtime coordinator Cody Slone.
“What I love about Coach Slone is his passion for not just football, but for Martin County football,” Muncy said. “His intensity helps fuel what has been a very aggressive and hard-nosed defense the past few seasons. We look to carry that same mentality into this season.”
Senior quarterback and safety Devan Maynard will lead a young team alongside a core group of juniors in the trenches: Brandon Wells, Kendall Mullins, Bryson Osborne and Braxton Moore. Defensively, returning leading tackler Crayson “Bones” Lafferty will be key in anchoring the unit.
“Our goals never change,” Muncy said. “District, regional and state championships are what we set our sights on. Off the field, we want to represent our community in a positive light and be leaders in the school and the community.”
The Cardinals recently competed in a 7-on-7 scrimmage at the University of Pikeville where Muncy said he saw early signs of growth and buy-in.
“We knew we would make some mistakes, but they didn’t dwell on it,” he said. “They stepped up and played the next play 100%. That’s what it takes to develop.”
