BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — A midnight monsoon did not stop the Cardinals from taking the field late Thursday in front of a large crowd. Martin County’s football community gathered under the lights to debut its high school, middle school and youth football programs in a spirited “First Flight” practice at The Rock.
“I think it just gets everyone excited about the upcoming season,” Martin County head coach Josh Muncy said. “It gives our guys a chance to get in full pads and showcase their talents in front of a crowd. The rain was unfortunate, but we made the best of the situation. We told our guys they’ll have storms to weather this season, so we might as well start now.”
The night kicked off with youth-level drills and scrimmages, followed by the middle school team taking the field.
The high school squad wrapped up the event with a high-energy practice that started with the players running out of the Cardinals helmet at midnight, as the rain began to fall.
Coach Muncy emphasized the importance of involving the younger guys.
“The difference in having a team and a program is the involvement of your youth,” he said. “When you’re trying to build a program, it happens from the bottom up. We want those kids to see our high school guys and aspire to be them. We want them to look forward to wearing those uniforms on a Friday night.”
Media guru Josh Horn said the idea behind hosting the “First Flight” midnight practice was to kick off the 2025 season with a high-energy event that brings together the team, fans and community.
“It’s about building excitement and showcasing our kids to the community,” Horn said. “Including the youth alongside our high school players gives the younger kids a chance to see their heroes up close, feel the energy of the team, and dream big about their own future on the field.”
Horn emphasized that the goal is to inspire and motivate.
“It shows them we are all one big Cardinal family, inspiring them to work hard, stay committed, and carry forward the pride of wearing Martin County across their chest.”
Youth program director Kenny Maynard echoed that sentiment.
“Youth games are important, but our main priority is helping these kids truly understand football,” Maynard said. “It’s vital for them to learn every aspect of the game and experience different positions. We’re building a culture around dedication, work ethic, respect, humility, sportsmanship, and a love for the game. When we see our high school team succeed in championships, that’s when we know we’ve done our job at the youth level.”
Middle school head coach Jason Maynard praised the event’s impact on his players.
“It builds morale early, showcases the support these kids have, and gives our guys a chance to show their grit in front of the community,” he said. “From our very first practice in late April to now, the biggest growth has been the leadership from our older players and the dedication across the team.”
For high school players, the late-night under-the-lights atmosphere was electric.
“I was fired up and ready to hit hard,” Cardinals standout Kendal Mullins said. “It felt like a Friday night game.”
Junior Crayson Lafferty agreed, calling it a moment he will not soon forget.
“Taking the field at midnight was unreal,” Lafferty said. “There’s just a different kind of excitement when you’re starting the season like that. The lights are on, the stands are full, and you can feel the energy from your teammates.”
Lafferty understands the responsibility of setting the tone for younger players.
“I try to lead by example – work hard in practice, stay positive, and keep pushing even when it’s tough. I want the younger guys to see that and follow that standard,” he said. “I stay involved with the little ones every chance I get because when I was little, I had guys to look up to. It means so much more than you could ever imagine.”
