Few, if any, would have blamed Chris Fletcher and his staff, had they opted earlier in the week to forfeit their Class 2A first-round playoff matchup against defending-champion Mayfield.
After all, this Todd County Central team opened postseason play with fewer than 20 able bodies to dress for battle — injuries and indifference alike thwarting morale and manpower.
Instead, leadership and a handful of student-athletes chose to play Friday night at War Memorial Stadium, holding serve early before falling to the colossal Cardinals 50-12, ending the Rebels’ season at 2-9.
A more-than-valiant opening drive against Mayfield’s starters claimed nearly 10 minutes off the first-quarter clock. Of the 16 plays, nine of them were tough rushes from budding sophomore running back and linebacker Jamir Brewer — playing his first true varsity ball this season after transferring into the district.
Dual-threat quarterback Braylon Elderbrook, a junior, snagged a first down on third-and-10 thanks to an eight-yard rush and a facemask penalty, and four plays later, Brewer gutted out a short fourth-down conversion. On another third-and-10, Elderbrook hit Aidan Bobbett for a 13-yard gain, and on the next snap, his 13-yard keeper had the Rebels in the red zone.
At this moment, part of the Cardinals’ chain gain turned to his pals and bellowed: “Look at these guys! They’re kicking our ass!”
Two plays later, though, reality set in, as Elderbrook’s toss over the middle was tipped at the line and picked off by senior Carter Morris.
From there, Mayfield would score the next 50 points — including 37 in a difficult second quarter.
Despite the outcome, Fletcher said he was pleased to see the fight finished.
Seeking its first state title under first-year coach, but long-time coordinator, Cliff Dew, Mayfield showed its playoff moxie in punishing fashion after not having the ball much to open the game.
A 71-yard pass from sophomore Gray Robbins to junior Malik Kirby made it 6-0.
A Todd County Central three-and-out.
A 24-yard rushing score from sophomore Josiah England made it 13-0.
A Todd County Central three-and-out.
A 35-yard pass to Diego Torres set up Robbins’ 30-yard screen touchdown to Mak Hoover, making it 20-0.
A Todd County Central fumble, recovered for a touchdown by Torres, and a 27-0 lead.
A Todd County Central three-and-out, but a tough snap to the punter sailed over his head, and he was tackled for a safety and a 30-0 deficit.
England responded on the free kick by taking his next touch for a 29-yard touchdown, and a 36-0 running clock advantage.
A Todd County Central three-and-out.
And another terrific Torres catch down the right sideline set up senior Tre Jackson’s lineman touch for a 1-yard score, and a 43-0 lead.
All of this happened in about 10 minutes of game time, a blur following what Fletcher called a tough opening-drive letdown.
Against Mayfield’s second- and third-string, the Rebels scored the final 12 points of the game, but not before the Cardinals opened the third quarter with a dazzling 51-yard touchdown run from freshman Briar Overstreet.
Trailing 50-0, junior wideout Zikavion Martin marched a kick return to the Cardinals 37, and the Rebels capped a five-play drive with a short touchdown pass from Elderbrook to Fletcher’s son, Mar’Shawn, with 6:55 left in the third quarter.
On the final play of the game, Elderbrook scrambled to his left, and heaved a 29-yard touchdown to senior Brian Farlow — who made a circus catch along the left side of the end zone.
It was his fifth receiving touchdown of the season, and the last of his high school career.
Fletcher said the halftime message was simple. “David vs. Goliath. Finish strong.”
Some season-ending notes:
— Fletcher is expecting some great things out of his core guys moving into 2025. Of those who suited up Friday, eight on offense and eight on defense are likely to return into the fold, including Brewer.
— Despite losing seven straight, the Rebels were never shutout this season. In fact, Todd County Central hasn’t been shut out since October 29, 2021, following a 14-0 loss at Green County.
MAYFIELD 50, TODD COUNTY CENTRAL 12
Rebels (2-9) 0 0 6 6 — 12
Cardinals (8-2) 7 37 6 0 — 50
SCORING
MAY: Malik Kirby 71 pass from Gray Robbins (PAT good), 7-0, 1:47 1Q
MAY: Josiah England 24 rush (PAT good), 14-0, 11:20 2Q
MAY: Mak Hoover 30 pass from Gray Robbins (PAT good), 21-0, 7:48 2Q
MAY: Diego Torres fumble recovery (PAT good), 28-0, 7:39 2Q
MAY: Kyler Simpson safety, 30-0, 5:50 2Q
MAY: Josiah England 29 rush (PAT good), 37-0, 5:33 2Q
MAY: Tre Jackson 1 rush (PAT good), 44-0, 1:18 2Q
MAY: Briar Overstreet 51 rush (PAT missed), 50-0, 11:49 3Q
TCC: Mar’Shawn Fletcher 2 pass from Braylon Elderbrook (2-point fails), 50-6, 6:55 3Q
TCC: Brian Farlow 29 pass from Braylon Elderbrook (2-point fails), 50-12, 0:01 4Q
