Mayfield looked very much like the best team in Class 2A’s 1st District this season, but Caldwell County still feels like it is very much in hunt for the No. 2 playoff seed behind the Cardinals.
The Tigers trailed 21-0 at halftime on the way to a 49-7 setback against the state’s top-ranked team Friday night in Mayfield, but Caldwell feels like it continues to show improvement and that upcoming district games against Fort Campbell and Murray are both winnable.
Caden Morris ran for 87 yards and three touchdowns to lead Mayfield, which is now 7-0 overall and 2-0 in the district. Zane Cartwright threw for 210 yards and two scores — both in the first half — for the Cardinals, who beat Caldwell for the ninth straight time.
Mayfield went up 42-0 in the third quarter, kicking in the running-clock mercy rule for the rest of the contest.
Caldwell (1-6, 1-1) broke up the shutout on the final play of the third period when Jamus Carneyhan found running room on the right side and beat several Mayfield defenders to the pylon for a 19-yard scoring run. Timothy Nichols’ extra-point kick made it 42-7.
Mayfield tacked on another touchdown in the fourth quarter.
The Cardinals finished with 397 yards in the contest, including 187 on the ground.
Ken Shelley had 70 yards on just two rushes, including a 39-yard touchdown carry in the final frame.
Caldwell had 135 total yards, with 81 of that in the air.
Carneyhan ran for 49 yards on 12 carries.
Zavy Bumphus caught six passes for 38 yards.
Carneyhan helped lead the Caldwell defense with 10 tackles and 10 first hits.
Gus Fox picked off a pair of passes for the Tigers.
Caldwell goes to Fort Campbell next week.
Mayfield is off next week before going to Ballard Memorial on Oct. 14.
