BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Martin County football has released its 2026 schedule as the Cardinals prepare to build on a nine-win season and continue one of the strongest stretches in program history.
Martin County finished 9-3 in 2025 and advanced to the second round of the Class 2A state playoffs. The Cardinals scored 436 points in 12 games and averaged 36.3 points per contest behind an offense that produced 2,631 rushing yards and 1,718 passing yards.
The Cardinals have performed well in the playoffs in each of the previous two seasons but head coach Josh Muncy said the program is not satisfied with simply maintaining that level of success.
“We want to do better. We want to be better than we were last year,” Muncy said. “We want to put a better product on the field year after year, and we don’t want to be complacent with just getting to a regional championship. We want to win the regional championship. We want to be in that next round, the state semifinal round.”
The 2026 Cardinals will have a different look after losing Class 2A District 7 Player of the Year Devan Maynard to graduation.
Maynard accounted for 3,024 yards of offense and 37 touchdowns during his senior campaign. Martin County also lost its second-leading rusher and leading tackler after Crayson Lafferty transferred to Prestonsburg. Braxton Moore also made the move to the Blackcats.
Maynard and Lafferty combined for 2,267 of Martin County’s 2,631 rushing yards and 41 of the team’s 43 rushing touchdowns last season.
Their departures will require Martin County to spread the football around, but Muncy believes the Cardinals have the personnel to attack defenses in several ways.
“Offensively, I would say we have some diversity in our offense,” Muncy said. “I think we have a lot of weapons, kind of like a Swiss Army knife. We’ll be able to cut you more ways than one.”
Muncy said the Cardinals have shown promise through the air and on the ground during the preseason.
“Our receivers are catching the ball well,” he said. “We’ve got a few guys who can run the ball, so we’ll be able to spread the love a little bit this year offensively.”
Haney takes over quarterback
Senior Jerrod Haney will move from receiver to quarterback after leading Martin County’s receiving corps last season.
Haney hauled in 28 passes for 484 yards and four touchdowns. He also made an impact in the secondary with 52 tackles, two interceptions and a pick-six.
“I’m feeling confident and feeling excited,” Haney said. “We just have to play to the best of our ability.”
The senior has spent the offseason adjusting to seeing the offense from the other side of the football.
“I have to remember what it’s like to be on the other end of the ball,” Haney said. “The team has a great attitude. We have a lot of versatility, and we have high expectations. We’re going to go in strong and keep building off every game.”
Moving Haney under center leaves the Cardinals without a top receiver from last season, but Martin County returns several targets.
Rex Ward caught 22 passes for 335 yards and three touchdowns. He also contributed 40 tackles, six tackles for loss and one sack on defense.
Liam Fields returns following a productive season, while the 6-foot-6, 200-pound Brayden Fannin gives Haney a large and athletic target.
Parker Maynard is also back after sitting out last season. Muncy described Maynard as one of Martin County’s best young players.
Jeremy Begley gives the offense another option at running back and in the passing game.
“He’s like a dual threat out of the backfield because he runs the ball really well, but he has really good hands too,” Muncy said. “He’s a pass option out of the backfield. That’s why I said the Swiss Army knife thing. We’ve got a lot of tools.”
Veterans lead the trenches
Martin County returns experience up front with seniors Kendal Mullins, Bryson Osborne and Brandon Wells.
Mullins appeared in all 12 games and recorded 18 tackles while forcing and recovering a fumble. Osborne played in 11 games during his junior season and returns for his senior campaign.
Wells also appeared in 11 games for Martin County. The 6-foot-1, 265-pound lineman earned his first college football offer from Midway University earlier this summer and is expected to help anchor the offensive line.
Wells said he, Mullins and Osborne understand the responsibility of leading the Cardinals in the trenches.
“We have all said our team morale has been better this preseason than it was in the middle of last season,” Wells said. “I’m looking forward to being with my brothers. We’ve been working hard.”
Muncy has also noticed a difference in the team’s chemistry.
“Our older guys are doing a good job of lifting these young guys up,” Muncy said. “If they make a mistake, they’re trying to be supportive. As far as team morale it’s probably the best that I’ve seen in a few years out of our team.”
Experience returns
The Cardinals return a veteran defensive unit after relying on several underclassmen to fill important roles last season.
“They’ve gotten a season of varsity football under their belt,” Muncy said. “Coming in this year, we expect a little more maturity and a little more discipline out of some of our defensive guys.”
Easton Slone returns after an impressive freshman campaign. Slone finished second on the team with 85 tackles, adding two tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one interception.
“There were a couple of games that he actually led us in tackles last year,” Muncy said. “He’s a guy that we expect a big sophomore season out of.”
Ward, Haney and Fannin are also expected to contribute on defense, while the Cardinals return experience across the defensive line.
Road test opens season
Martin County opens the season Aug. 21 on the road at Lawrence County. The Bulldogs handed the Cardinals a 35-7 loss in last season’s opener.
The Cards travel to Belfry on Aug. 28 for the Pike County Bowl, where they will face Pike County Central at 6 p.m. Martin County defeated the Hawks 44-20 last season.
Martin County makes its home debut Sept. 4 against Betsy Layne. The Cardinals defeated the Bobcats twice in 2025, winning 48-18 during the regular season and 42-26 in the opening round of the Class 2A playoffs.
A road trip to Knox Central follows Sept. 11. Last year’s meeting produced one of the season’s most exciting finishes, with Martin County escaping with a 42-41 overtime victory.
The Cardinals return to The Rock on Sept. 18 to host Shelby Valley in the Harvest Fest Bowl. Martin County won 40-20 at Shelby Valley a year ago.
Knott County visits Inez on Sept. 25 after the Cardinals rolled to a 41-6 victory over the Patriots last season.
Martin County travels to Leslie County on Oct. 2. The Cardinals defeated the Eagles 48-18 in last year’s meeting.
Following a bye week, Floyd Central comes to Inez on Oct. 16. Martin County earned a 46-14 victory over the Jaguars in 2025.
Familiar faces await
Martin County travels to Prestonsburg on Oct. 23 for a matchup that will carry plenty of familiarity.
The Blackcats handed the Cardinals one of their two regular-season losses last year, escaping Inez with a 36-30 victory.
Prestonsburg has continued to establish itself as one of eastern Kentucky’s top Class 2A programs under head coach Wes Hager, a Martin County native who has guided the Blackcats to consistent success.
The matchup adds another layer this season after former Cardinals Crayson Lafferty and Braxton Moore transferred to Prestonsburg.
The two programs will also become district rivals beginning in 2027.
Martin County closes the regular season Oct. 30 at home against Paintsville. The Cardinals defeated the Tigers 41-28 last season.
Future district rivals
The schedule offers a preview of the Cardinals’ future district landscape.
Beginning in 2027, Martin County will move to Class 2A District 8 alongside Belfry, Pike County Central, Prestonsburg and Shelby Valley. The Cardinals will face three of those four future district opponents during the 2026 regular season.
Muncy believes competing against stronger programs will help prepare the Cardinals for postseason football.
“When you have better teams in your district, it sets the bar higher,” Muncy said. “It pushes you to get better. It’s kind of the iron-sharpens-iron deal.”
Martin County enters the fall needing to replace significant offensive production but a veteran group of linemen, returning playmakers and experienced defenders gives the Cardinals confidence that their recent run can continue.
“We have a lot of weapons,” Muncy said. “This year is going to be good, and the future is bright.”
2026 Football Schedule
- Aug. 21 — at Lawrence County
- Aug. 28 — Pike County Central at Belfry, Pike County Bowl, 6 p.m.
- Sept. 4 — Betsy Layne
- Sept. 11 — at Knox Central
- Sept. 18 — Shelby Valley, Harvest Fest Bowl
- Sept. 25 — Knott County
- Oct. 2 — at Leslie County
- Oct. 16 — Floyd Central
- Oct. 23 — at Prestonsburg
- Oct. 30 — Paintsville