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Martin County football heads to Louisa for season-opening test
BY BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Before long, the evening air will turn cooler, the hills will trade their deep summer green for shades of red and gold, and the lights at The Rock will glow against an autumn sky. But for now, the heat lingers and the Cards have some business to take…
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Martin County football unveils 2026 slate, looks to build on recent success
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…
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First Flight brings Cardinals football family together
BY BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County football gave the community its first glimpse of the 2026 season July 31 during the second annual First Flight practice at The Rock. The evening brought the youth, middle school and high school programs together under the lights, with each group taking the field throughout the…
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Martin County wrestling finishes 1A runner-up; Muncy named Coach of the Year
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN LEXINGTON — Martin County arrived at the 2026 KHSAA State Wrestling Tournament with purpose and left with pride. The Cardinals claimed 1A State Runner-Up honors, placed three wrestlers on the podium, finished among the top 10 teams overall and saw coach Josh Muncy named the Coach of the Year at…
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Martin County places second at KHSAA Region 8, advances 11 wrestlers to state
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PIKEVILLE — By the end of a long Saturday inside Pike Central’s gym, the margin was unforgiving: 14 points. That was all that separated Martin County from a 2026 KHSAA Region 8 wrestling championship — close enough to feel within reach, far enough to sting. Coach Josh Muncy’s Cardinals finished…
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Cardinals finish 2026 KFWCA 1A State Duals Runner-Up
BY BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN CORBIN — Martin County High School Cardinals put together a championship-caliber weekend in Corbin, rolling through the KFWCA 1A State Duals to finish as the runner-up. Coach Josh Muncy’s crew punched their ticket to the semifinals after steamrolling McCreary County 70-12. From there, the Cardinals knocked off Nelson County 57-21…
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Martin County wrestling turns Dragon Invitational into coronation
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN CRESTWOOD — Martin County arrived in Crestwood quietly Saturday and left with a championship trophy heavy enough to need two hands. By the end of the 30th Annual Dragon Invitational at South Oldham High School, the Cardinals had stacked up 189.5 points, outpacing Madison Central’s 172 in the 22-team field,…
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Martin County wrestling overwhelms 22-team field at Belfry Clipson Jones Classic
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN BELFRY — Martin County arrived at Clipson Jones Classic Saturday morning at Belfry High School and left that night with the championship. The Cardinals scored 258.5 points to win the 22-team tournament and finish well ahead of Braxton County’s 207. Coach Josh Muncy’s Cardinals built the margin one match at…
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Martin County wrestles to the wire, finishes runner-up at Hatfield-McCoy 32
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PIKEVILLE — For two days at Appalachian Wireless Arena, the margins were razor-thin and the pace relentless. It was the kind of tournament where a single scramble can tilt an entire team race. Martin County High School lived in that tension at the Hatfield-McCoy 32. The Cardinals stalked the lead…
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Martin County Wrestling takes crown at Agie Skeens Memorial Tournament
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN GRUNDY, Va. — By the time the final mats cleared Saturday, it was unmistakable: something historic had happened. The Martin County Cardinals had climbed to the top at the 2026 Agie Skeens Memorial Tournament in Grundy, Virginia. Martin County claimed the team championship for the first time, doing it with…
