Rocket fullback Josh Franklin (36) rushed for 128 yards, his best of the season, against Fulton County. Inset photo is Shawn Farmer making a big hit on the Fulton quarterback.

Rockets seeing 'Red'
Fulton goes down easily, Mayfield up next

MARION, Ky. (Nov. 4, 2005) - Every year about this time, Crittenden County's football team starts seeing red.

The rosy hue comes from the Rockets almost annual pilgrimage to Mayfield, and as customary, Crittenden will meet the seventh-ranked Cardinals in the Class A playoffs next week on Nov. 11.

What's different this time is that the boys in blue are a bit more anxious for the rematch.

After dispatching Fulton County 39-8 in the opening round of the playoffs Friday at Marion, the Rockets immediately turned their attention to the ever-present Cardinals. Crittenden has been eliminated from post-season play five times over the last 10 years by the perennial western Kentucky powerhouse. Last year, however, the Rockets closed the gap, losing 35-28. From that point on, the kettle has been brewing for the rematch.

"The attitude has changed a lot," said Rocket coach Al Starnes as his team was relishing an easy opening-round victory over the Pilots. "We've been waiting for this game for the past year."

On Friday, the Cardinals (8-3) beat Hancock County 37-10 to set the table for a regional semifinal tilt at Mayfield.

The return to Mayfield has been virtually inevitable for the past 12 months. The Rockets were so certain of its destiny that both a Mayfield and Crittenden logo was printed on the post-season banquet program after the 2004 season.

Getting to this point has been about as expected with a few hiccups on the way that cost the Rockets two regular-season losses. Other than that, the scenario has played out almost exactly as predicted.

Fulton County put up little fight after Crittenden finally got its offense going. The Pilots intercepted a pass from Rocket QB Austin Berry on the first series and Crittenden punted the next time it had the ball. But after that, Crittenden reeled off three straight touchdowns and led 24-0 late in the second period.

The only blemish on the scoreboard was a second interception of Berry which was returned 35 yards for a touchdown by Fulton's Jeffrey McClain just before the half. Those points, however, were charged to the offense and not the Rocket defense which has allowed just one touchdown in the last 20 quarters.

The defense didn't allow Fulton County a single first down in either the first or third quarters. It held the Pilots to just 81 yards on the ground and 32 through the air.

Fullback Josh Franklin provided most of the punch for Crittenden. The senior scored one touchdown and carried the ball 18 times for a season-high 128 yards. Berry, not as sharp as normal, completed one touchdown pass to Blake Gardner for 75 yards. On the play just before that, Berry had thrown a scoring strike to T.K. Guess, but is was called back on a penalty. Berry finished 4-for-10 and threw an uncommon two interceptions. The senior QB had thrown just four interceptions all during the regular season.

Crittenden tacked on two touchdown in the second half, taking advantage of excellent field position as did in the first half. Fulton was forced to punt six times in the contest, and two of its punts were for 10 yards or less.

"They will give Mayfield all they want," said first-year Fulton coach Mancel Elam after his Pilots lost to the Rockets. "But I think Mayfield will get them. Crittenden gang-tackles really well which you have to do against Mayfield. I think Mayfield's defense is a little more aggressive."

So while the prophesy has been fulfilled, pitting Crittenden against the Cardinals, the outcome remains a mystery. Kickoff is at 7:30 at Mayfield. Stay tuned for details.

Rocket linebacker Gairge Courtney puts his helmet on the ball, causing Fulton's Tari Bishop to fumble.