Mayfield Defeats Hopkinsville 36-0 (Kroger KSR Game of the Week)
Mayfield’s War Memorial Stadium is the KHSAA’s version of Lambeau Field. I’ve never been to Green Bay, but I did travel west to Mayfield and discovered a football utopia that is a must-see for football fanatics in the Commonwealth. The Kroger KSR Hometown Community Series is about, well, community. I experienced the best about Mayfield while watching the Cardinals defeat Hopkinsville 36-0.
I arrived at War Memorial Stadium around four o’clock. I thought I was way too early and would catch up on emails and texts while waiting for kickoff. That didn’t happen. I was immediately waived into a parking lot just beyond the goal posts which is the location for one heck of a party. A steady arrival of trucks followed which signified the start of a pregame tailgating ritual that rivaled any college environment that I’ve seen in 30-plus years of my football obsession. This was three and a half hours before the game. Parking passes are sold and the slots were filled. Particular spots in the end zone are territorial and marked off hours in advance much like Kroger Field.
I didn’t meet a stranger in my seven-hour stay in Mayfield. And I didn’t go hungry. I ate a tasty pork sandwich with horseradish sauce and beans. From the tailgaters to Larry who was in charge of parking the home and away team’s buses, I was made to feel like I belonged and welcomed. I fit in. I went from a visiting member of the media to seriously contemplating Mayfield as my retirement destination in a matter of minutes. They got me, I got them.
I often type the words “Football state” to end my articles. That’s not done to create controversy. Please note I don’t say “Football school.” That phrase has become testy these days. My fall travels throughout Kentucky are filled with wonderful stories of resilient and proud communities. I do my best to capture the moments and describe the beauty of high school football. Mayfield did that for me. Tweets weren’t enough.
I heard several heartbreaking stories about the tornado that ripped through the city some nine months ago. My heart broke for the community and the faces behind the accounts. I also listened as folks told me that football brings the community together. Kentucky may be a football state, but you can bet your last dollar that Mayfield is a football city. The Cardinal faithful even apologized to me for the sparse crowd on more than one occasion. Sparse crowd? The stands were full on both sides. Tailgaters went six or seven deep beyond the end zone fence. “Wait till next week for the Tighlman game” was a common comment. I can’t imagine what that scene will look like next Friday in one of the nation’s oldest rivalries.
The football game went Mayfield’s way. The Cards jumped out to a 7-0 first-quarter lead and never looked back. Running back Jutarious Starks rushed for 99-yards off just 7 carries. Quarterback Zane Cartwright is a three-year starter. He tossed touchdown passes to Brajone Dabney. In all, Mayfield took a commanding 36-0 lead at the half. A running clock ensued. Multiple freshmen and sophomores played in the third and fourth quarters. No more points were scored. The team gathered and prayed after the game. The fans left the stands and poured onto the field. Players were surrounded by friends and family and lots of pictures were taken. A celebration occurred. That was another moment that took me back. A celebration. Mayfield has won twelve state championships and has eleven runner-up trophies. Players, fans, and coaches celebrated Friday’s regular season win as if it was rare. Mayfield is the third winningest high school football team in the nation. That’s Mayfield. Winning matters. Community matters. They combine on Friday nights.
I couldn’t get over how it seemed as if the entire city filled War Memorial Stadium while patrolling the sidelines during the game. I ran into an old UK teammate Larry Jackson before kickoff. Larry’s on the Mayfield school board these days. He was a starting defensive back for the Cats and is a Mayfield legend after leading the Cardinals to consecutive state championships in 1985 and 1986. Larry still lives up the street from the stadium and hasn’t changed a bit. The hometown feel in the city was overriding. Community pride was palpable.
The Mayfield Football experience can be best described with the Jax Rogers story. The super-senior linebacker sustained season-ending knee injuries in back-to-back seasons. He missed the 2020 and 2021 campaigns and went through excruciating rehabilitation in order to get back on the field. Rogers racked up tackles for loss in the first half. He had ice bags on both knees after the game. Amazing. His postgame smile while surrounded by family and friends brought on chills. That’s Mayfield Football, the Packers of the KHSAA. The football team is the city.
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Joe Morris is a legend. The head coach has won eight titles and embraced the game like a first-year rookie. His smile afterward also warmed my heart. Coach voiced praise for his players, coaches, and the plethora of red-clad fans. His postgame comments were to the point.
When I asked the Cardinals’ leader to discuss the environment surrounding the game he said, “There’s nothing much better than War Memorial Stadium, especially when it’s packed out. We had a great crowd, a great atmosphere in the end zone, people tailgating. People enjoy coming to football games. That’s what we do here. In Mayfield, we go to high school football games. People live for it. I’m just fortunate enough to be a part of it.”
I was taken aback by Morris’ humility. I talked to him before the game. The coach seemed sincerely concerned if I had everything I needed. A member of his staff brought me a Mayfield shirt and said the head coach wanted to make sure I got it before kickoff. Incredible. Legend.
Am I being overly dramatic about my experience in Mayfield? Maybe. But the night is fresh and left a lasting impression. I’m writing this post well after midnight in the east coast. Before the game, I texted Nick, Drew, and just about anyone else that would listen and said that I’m staying in Mayfield and not coming home. Yes, that was over the top and completely unrealistic. That’s ok. The vibe and atmosphere were overwhelming. The game-day experience was something that you have to enjoy in person to truly appreciate. If Drew Franklin would have made the trip, my friend would have already closed on a house in the city and bought a parking pass and season tickets. Mayfield Football is totally in his wheelhouse.
Mayfield has a really good team and will make a deep run in 2A. I’m a fan of the fans, coach, program, and city. I made friends. I fit in. They made me feel at home and welcome. I’ll be back.
Football city.
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