Anyone who has watched the Martin County Cardinals this season, know they have one of the premier rushing attacks in the Mountains. On Friday, the Cards showed just how good their rushing attack was as they ran for 511 yards on the night on only 56 carries for a 9.1 yard per game average.
The Cardinals ground game was led by Junior Brock Messer. Messer carried the football 22 times for 186 yards and 3 touchdowns. Messer was closely followed by Junior Madden Miller who rushed for 159 yards on 13 attempts and 2 TDs. The final Cardinal running back to break the 100 yard mark was Dawson Mills who carried the ball 16 times for 131 yards and 1 touchdown.
Defensively for the Cards, they were led by Madden Miller. Miller had 8 tackles on the night. Julian Stafford also had a great night defensively. Stafford had 5 tackles and 1 interception which he returned 32 yards.
As well as the Cardinals played, the Eagles would not go away. The Eagles brought their air raid offense to Inez in hopes of securing the victory. Leslie County Quarterback Landry Collett threw for 324 yards on 17-31 passing including 5 touchdowns. Collett’s favorite target on the night was Wyatt Hensley who caught 6 passes for 179 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Eagle rushing attack was led by Junior Dalton Maggard. Maggard ran for 101 yards on only 8 carries and 1 TD.
In the end, Martin County held on for the 46-40 victory. The win brings the Cardinals record to 7-4 on the season. The win will allow the Cardinals to advance and take on the Breathitt County Bobcats in Jackson on Friday. The Bobcats (8-2) on the season defeated West Carter to advance.
Photo Credit: Stephanie Stiles-May
