In 1992, country music star Mary Chapin Carpenter scored a hit with a song entitled “The Bug,” whose chorus started “Sometimes you’re the windshield, sometimes you’re the bug.” You will forgive Todd County Central Coach Will Cohen if he feels as if Mayfield drove a very large vehicle and ran over the Rebels Friday night dominating every phase of the game and winning 63-0.
After the Rebels went three and out to start the game, Mayfield’s Mak Hoover returned Todd Central’s Eli Morgan’s punt 42 yards for a touchdown to get the scoring started for the Cardinals (4-1 overall, 2-0 in district play). Owen Byrd’s extra point made it 7-0 less than two minutes into the contest.
The Rebels (1-4 overall, 0-2 in district play), who struggled on offense all evening, fumbled on the next play from scrimmage with the Cardinals recovering it at the Rebel three-yard line. Mayfield quarter Gray Robbins connected with tight end Will Morris for a touchdown on the following play. With Byrd’s extra point, Mayfield went up 14-0, and the rout was officially on.
On Todd Central’s next play from scrimmage, Morgan’s pass was intercepted. One play later, Robbins connected on a 42-touchdown pass to Jalal Islam. Byrd’s extra point made the score 21-0.
After another three-and-out from the Rebels, Mayfield returned a short Morgan punt to the Todd Central 20 where, one play later, running back Ja’Aubrey Sherrill scored on a 20-yard run. The margin moved to 28-0 with Byrd’s extra point.
Todd Central was unable to move the ball on its next possession, and Sherrill scored the second punt return touchdown for the Cardinals, this one coming from 47 yards out. Byrd’s extra point pushed the lead to 35-0 with 4:41 remaining in the quarter which led to the rest of the game being played with a running clock.
In the first quarter, the Mayfield offense had three possessions, ran a total of three plays gaining a combined 65 yards, and scored three touchdowns and added the two punt returns for touchdowns for good measure. By contrast, the Rebels’ offense ran a total of 13 plays which resulted in -17 yards.
The second quarter saw Robbins and Islam connected on a 30-yard score. Backup quarterback Swayer Stinson threw a 36-yard touchdown to Anderson Smith in the third quarter.
The fourth quarter saw Mayfield tack on two more touchdowns, one a five-yard run from Kyrin Kirby and a two-yard plunge from Gavin Fisher. Byrd connected on the four extra points to go 9-9 on the evening.
Todd Central’s next contest is Thursday, October 2 at Crittenden County in a game rescheduled due to the ongoing football official shortage in this area. The Rebels hope to break their five-game losing streak and pick up their first district win. Kickoff is set for 7pm.
