The 2024 season ended with an uncharacteristic beat down of the Cardinals, AT War Memorial no less, at the hands of the LCA Eagles in the third round of the class 2A playoffs. That was a bitter pill to swallow, but that one is in the history books and all eyes are now focused on the 2025 season.

At first glance, there is alot to be excited about as most of the skill positions on offense return for next year. Grey Robbins is expected to return at quarterback along with running back, Josiah England, who has Cardinal fans talking about the running game again.

The receiving corp is back fully intact. Both Hoover and Kirby will return along with Will Morris at tight end who missed much of last season with an injury. The real question will be the offensive line. This is an offensive line that got dominated by the LCA defense. 

On defense, Mayfield loses a four year starter at linebacker in Ian Williams. But the upside is there are younger players coming up that will step in to that position. 

Mayfield has played a nine game schedule for the past two years. It will be interesting to see if we can find an opponent to fill that slot. So what do you think? Can the Cardinals get back to Lexington to play for another state title?

Thanks for the update GBR.  Sounds like Mayfield will be right back in the thick of it again this season.  They may make it back to Kroger Field but I gotta believe that Beechwood will be the team to beat in 2A again next year.  They have a lot coming back and Fryman is a difference maker.  He will undoubtedly be the best player in 2A next year.

I'm hearing Mayfield will play Louisville Central the last game of the season this year. It will be a home game this year.

I think Mayfield will have a really good team as always. The return of their qb who will only be better will help. The Cards have really good skill players to lean on with England, Kirby, Hoover, Morris and Sherrill. Last year I thought the strength of Mayfield was their O-line/Run game and their front 7 on defense. Mayfield does lose several good linemen and very good linebackers. Thier strength last year is probably their biggest question mark this year. They will still win 9 or 10 regular season games and probably be in the semi-finals with a good shot like they almost always are.

Hearing that Mayfield has scheduled Central for their last game of the year is great for them especially with Murray moving out of their district.  I think it has hurt Mayfield in the past not really being challenged in the back half of their season because of their district and then who they play in the 1st and 2nd round of the playoffs.  Mayfield is going to be Mayfield at the skill positions but they are losing several starters in the trenches and at LB.  If those units come together they will be in the hunt because the skills are there for another run.

8/8 at Owensboro (Scrimmage)
8/14 vs. Hopkinsville (Scrimmage)
8/22 vs. Graves County
8/29 at Christian County
9/5 at Paducah Tilghman
9/12 vs. McCracken County
9/19 vs. Crittenden County *
9/26 at Todd County *
10/3 at Caldwell County *
10/17 at Trigg County *
10/24 vs. Ft. Campbell *
10/31 vs. Louisville Central

* District game

4 hours ago, FB Head said:

8/8 at Owensboro (Scrimmage)
8/14 vs. Hopkinsville (Scrimmage)
8/22 vs. Graves County
8/29 at Christian County
9/5 at Paducah Tilghman
9/12 vs. McCracken County
9/19 vs. Crittenden County *
9/26 at Todd County *
10/3 at Caldwell County *
10/17 at Trigg County *
10/24 vs. Ft. Campbell *
10/31 vs. Louisville Central

* District game

I love that they are playing Central!  That should be a good game.

31 minutes ago, Nuke LaLoosh said:

I love that they are playing Central!  That should be a good game.

Same, that is a major upgrade and considering the Cards will probably have a pretty easy time the first couple rounds of the playoffs, the timing is fine too. 

Good job Mayfield powers that be!

Really nice schedule.  Getting back to 10 games will really help the Cardinals IMO.

And to be challenged in Week 10 when the first couple of playoff games are running clocks is super important going forward.

45 minutes ago, Purple88 said:

Really nice schedule.  Getting back to 10 games will really help the Cardinals IMO.

And to be challenged in Week 10 when the first couple of playoff games are running clocks is super important going forward.

It's a heck of a match up to end the regular season for the programs as a whole. Other than that?

What's ultimately going to help Mayfield is that 4,908 of their 4,964 yards & 551 of their points  of their 587 total, in 2024, returns.

Not to mention 10 of their top 15 defensive performers, anchored by yet, another Starks for the solid red helmets of WKY.

Bump.

I'll tell you some more good news for the Cardinals. 2023 leading receiver Braden Morris has a couple younger brothers coming up in the Mayfield program. I believe they are maybe one in 8th grade and another Freshman/Sophmore range.

I don't remember exactly their ages, I went to church with their family for several years. I do know those kids can play some basketball and look like they will be something on the gridiron as well. 

Definitely worth keeping an eye out for. 

I hear the backup QB left and went to Graves County.

6 hours ago, snakesnot_2000 said:

I hear the backup QB left and went to Graves County.

Just looked on Twitter...Gray Robbins isn't very active on there, but his account still shows him at Mayfield. Jace Houston's Twitter account is shows him at Graves County, though.

Correct. I hope he wins the starting job at Graves County.