BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — Martin County football will bring the entire Cardinal program together under the lights July 31 for the second annual First Flight at The Rock.

The youth league will open the event at 10 p.m., followed by Martin County Middle School at 11 p.m. The high school Cardinals will take the field at midnight to officially kick off the 2026 football season.

Admission is free and the event is open to the public.

First Flight debuted last summer as a high-energy celebration involving Martin County’s youth, middle school and high school football programs. Despite heavy rain arriving as the high school team took the field, a large crowd remained in the stands as the Cardinals practiced under the lights.

Martin County head coach Josh Muncy said following last year’s event that First Flight gives players an opportunity to showcase their abilities.

“I think it just gets everyone excited about the upcoming season,” Muncy said. “It gives our guys a chance to get in full pads and show their talents in front of a crowd.”

The event also reflects the program’s emphasis on connecting each level of Martin County football.

“The difference in having a team and a program is the involvement of your youth,” Muncy said following the inaugural event. “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.”

The youth and middle school teams will participate in drills and scrimmage work before the high school team closes the night with its midnight practice.

Last year, the high school players ran onto the field through the Cardinal helmet as rain began to fall, creating a memorable opening to a season in which Martin County finished 9-3 and advanced to the second round of the Class 2A playoffs.

Organizers are inviting families and fans to wear red and Columbia blue, meet this year’s teams and help fill the stadium as the Cardinals begin another season.

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Jerrod Haney (3) looks to the sideline for a call in a downpour during last season’s 2A playoffs at Cardinal Stadium. (Citizen photo by Brittni McCoy)

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Martin County High School head coach Josh Muncy runs the midnight practice in a torrential downpour at the First Flight opener last season in Inez. (Citizen photo by Brittni McCoy)