The premier game in the state of Kentucky Friday night could very well be in the southwestern end of the commonwealth. Russellville at Mayfield is certainly the number one matchup in Class A, and it’s number one in the hearts of Panther and Cardinal fans.
Both teams are 8-0. Mayfield is ranked first in the state in Class A and Russellville second. This game could very well have been staged in the state finals. A rematch is a strong possibility, but it won’t be at the state finals in Bowling Green. These two teams are in the same district and region. Most likely they will meet again in the regional finals.
Panther fans hope that rematch will be on Ken Barrett Field at Rhea Stadium. Mayfield fans would like to stay at home for that game, too. They are accustomed to playing three to four home playoff games each season.
Friday’s game will determine the site of the potential rematch. Both teams have already earned home games in the first round. But that regional finals clash would be at the home of this week’s winner.
Mayfield is the model of consistency. They are in the conversation with Louisville Trinity, Bowling Green, and Fort Thomas Highlights as perennial powers. The Courier-Journal’s Litratings rank Mayfield 11th overall in all six classes.
Coach Joe Morris’ team has played in the last four state championship games, winning two and losing two. The current defending state champs, they beat previously undefeated Fairview in last year’s finals, capping a 14-1 season. In 2011, they also finished 14-1. That time they came in undefeated but lost 24-6 to Hazard. That ended a 29-game win streak for the Cardinals, who had gone 15-0 in 2010. That state title had come at the expense of Hazard by a 47-6 count. In ’09, Mayfield ‘stumbled’ to a 13-2 record, losing 55-19 to Lexington Christian.
So Mayfield is currently on a 22-game win streak. The last time Morris’ team lost a game was on Aug. 17, 2012 to Class 5A power Warren Central in the first game of that state championship season. Over the past four and two-thirds seasons, the Cardinals sport an eye-popping 64-4 record.
The Cardinals played some close games early, beating Fort Campbell 37-31, 6A McCracken County 35-34 Paducah Tilghman 28-21, and Murray 28-18. Their most impressive win came against crosstown rival Graves County. The Eagles are in the midst of another Class 5A super season under coaches Lance Gregory and Les May with a 6-2 record, including 3-0 in their district. But Mayfield beat Graves 49-21. Since then, the Cardinals have scored 64, 63 and 63 points.
The Litratings make Mayfield a 15.6-point favorite over the Panthers.
Yet Russellville has a lot going for it, too. The Panthers have beaten Trigg County, Fort Campbell and Franklin-Simpson. The other five wins have been by a 264-12 margin, and all five have involved running clocks in the first half because of 36-point leads.
Coach John Myers’ team leads Class A in scoring with 382 points. The Panthers also lead the state in defense, having allowed only 75 points. That means their winning margin (48-9) is also the state’s best. Mayfield is third on offense and fifth on defense.
The game begins at 7:30 p.m. John Brett Reynolds and Alex Watkins will begin their Countdown to Kickoff at 7 on WRUS (610 AM) or https://www.network1sports.com/station/wrus
A look at Panther statistics to date in this memorable season:
Rushing: Demarcus Hampton 734 yards on 65 carries for 13 touchdowns; Barrett Croslin 570/46 for 8 TDs; Coco Darden 232/24 for 4 TDs; Dequan Beard 255/23 for 3 TDs; Dustin Morgan 159/24 for 2 TDs; Desmon Quarles 125/28 for 7 TDs; M.J. Jones 43/14 for a TD; Johnny Drumgole 41/11 for a TD; Dru West 53/16; Jordan Blick 16/7; Lee McMurry 14/1; T.K. Hampton -2/3
Passing: Croslin 26 completions on 44 attempts for 495 yards and 6 TDs; Blick 1 for 2 for 15 yards
Receiving: McMurry 11 catches for 343 yards and 4 TDs; Darden 6 for 102 yards and 2 TDs; Zach Henley 5 for 18, Beard 2 for 26, Dowlen 1 for 15, Morgan 1 for 6, Hampton 1 for 0
Interceptions: Christian Naylor 4 for 2 TDs; Darden 4 for a TD; Croslin 3, Beard 2, McMurry 2, Jamarius Duncan, Josh Bigbee & Hampton, 1 each for a TD; Morgan 1
Fumble Recoveries: Quarles 4, Jacob Procter 2 with a TD; Morgan & Hampton, 1 each for a TD each; Rashaun Jones, Bryson Thomas, Jacory Bard, Drumgole & Bigbee 1 each
Punt Return for a Touchdown: Darden 1 for 45 yards
Score by Quarters: 1) RHS 161-28, 2) 128-13, 3) 53-7, 4) 40-27 Total 382-74; Average 47.8-9.4
Team Rushing: RHS—2,311 yards on 282 carries for 41 TDS; Opponents—463 on 163 for 7 TDS
Team Passing: RHS—510 yards on 27 completions in 46 attempts for 6 touchdowns; Opponents—579 yards on 57 completions in 161 attempts for 4 TDs
Total Offense: RHS—2,621 yards on 328 plays for 47 touchdowns; Opponents—942 yards on 324 plays and 11 touchdowns
Shown in Greg Cosgrove's photo is Demarcus Hampton escaping Franklin's Chris Holman while Panthers Truston Clayton (61) and Rashaun Jones watch.