For the 5th straight season, it will be the Mayfield Cardinals, not the Caldwell County Tigers, who enter the postseason on a winning note. The Cardinals 2nd half firepower was too much for the Tigers to overcome Friday night at War Memorial Stadium, as Mayfield picked up the 31-14 win.
The Mayfield defense also got the job done in the second half, holding the Tigers scoreless, after the game was tied 14-14 at the half.
The night got off to a promising start for Caldwell County, as Mayfield mishandled the opening kickoff, and the Tigers recovered deep in the Cardinals end of the field. The Tigers took advantage of the opportunity as Joby Jaggers hit DeEric Hollowell on a 10 yard touchdown pass to put Caldwell County up 7-0 with 10:08 to go in the opening quarter.
After interceptions by both teams, Mayfield evened things up as Connor Guthrie ran in a four yard keeper to tie the game at 7-7 with 4:38 to go in the first quarter. That would be the score when the quarter came to an end.
The Cardinals took their first lead of the night early in the 2nd quarter as Jayden Stinson hit Kade Neely on a 20 yard strike to give Mayfield a 14-7 lead with 10:10 to go in the half. Caldwell County was able to take advantage of another Mayfield turnover to even the game up. This time, Jameer Riley came up with an interception. Shortly after, Joby Jaggers connected with Gabe East to tie the game at 14-14, which is how the teams stood at the halftime break.
Mayfield seized control of the game late in the 3rd quarter. After the Cardinals scored on a 24 yard pass to Diaz Perry with 3:33 left in the 3rd, they found the end zone less than two minutes later following a Caldwell County turnover to make it 28-14 with 2:07 left in the quarter. The Cardinals would add a late 4th quarter field goal to get to the final margin.
The win improves Mayfield’s record to 10-0 on the season. The Cardinals open the Class 2A playoffs hosting Hancock County next Friday night. Caldwell County falls to 7-3. The Tigers will also open the playoffs at home, hosting Edmonson County in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs next Friday night.
