The Mayfield Cardinals have been the epitome of dominance for so many years. This season is no different. The Cardinals have had little trouble with their 2019 schedule, with their lone loss coming in a 45-35 battle with McCracken County 11 weeks ago. Besides that, the Cardinals have destroyed their opponents, outscoring them by a combined score of 607-198. In their 13 wins, only two teams have kept the margin of victory within 10 points; Madisonville and Hopkinsville.
While the Briar Jumpers scale of dominance may not be as large as Mayfield’s in 2019, their resume is awfully impressive. One point separates the Jumpers from a perfect season to this point; they lost 35-34 to Lexington Christian seven weeks ago. Somerset was able to avenge that loss three weeks ago in the district championship when they knocked off the Eagles 28-26 at Lexington Christian.
Mayfield’s “secret sauce” is no secret – they rarely make mistakes. The Cardinals’ fundamentals on offense and defense is impressive, and it all starts on the offensive end with senior quarterback Jayden Stinson. Not many high school quarterbacks in the state can boast the stat line that Stinson has. Stinson has passed for 3,506 yards and 48 touchdowns this season; nearly four touchdown passes per game.
Stinson has distributed the football evenly as well, making it a nightmare for opposing defenses to try and scheme. Three different Cardinals boast double-digit touchdown receptions in 2019. Senior Kade Neely has 20 touchdown receptions, senior Diaz Perry has 10 touchdown receptions, and senior Alonzo Daniel also has 10 touchdown receptions for Mayfield.
Junior running back Kylan Galbreath has put together a good season for the Cardinals; stringing together 1,575 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns this season. Travon Haliburton, Markeacio Jackson, Jutarious Starks, and Kade Neely have also made waves on the ground this season for Mayfield, accounting for 13 rushing touchdowns between the four players.
The defense has been anchored this season by sophomore linebacker Jax Rogers. Rogers has accounted for an eye-popping 125 tackles this season. Markeacio Jackson has 71 tackles, Daniel Coles has 60 tackles, Derek Stewart boasts 59 tackles this season, and Nathan Watkins has 57 tackles for the Cardinals.
While the offensive numbers may not be as dominant as Mayfield, the Briar Jumpers boast a solid offense. Dual-threat quarterback Kaiya Sheron is the engine of the offense. Sheron has passed for 3,043 yards and 27 touchdown passes while also rushing for 905 yards and 8 rushing touchdowns.
The Cardinals and Briar Jumpers battle for the Class 2A KHSAA State Championship Saturday at Noon Central Time at Kroger Field in Lexington.
