Two quick scoring strikes midway through the second half allowed Mayfield to pull away from Louisville Holy Cross on the road Friday and set up a rematch with the Rockets
The Cardinals used a 26-yard scoring pass to Tyrese Murrell to finish the third quarter and a 53-yard interception return for a score by Gary Walton early in the final quarter that helped Mayfield open a bigger lead in their 24-7 victory.
Mayfield scored on its second possession of the game on Jarrod Noonan’s 5-yard touchdown run, but Holy Cross answered with 2:54 left in the first half.
The two teams traded possession three times in those last two minutes with Mayfield blocking a punt to get the ball at midfield. Xavier Shelton’s long run moved the ball to Holy Cross’s 6-yard line where Marc Wynstra beat the halftime buzzer with a 28-yard field goal for a 10-7 halftime lead.
The Cardinals held Holy Cross to 63 yards in the first half and 92 for the game.
Another blocked punt set up the third quarter score. After hitting just 3-of-15 passes with two interceptions in the first half, Mayfield quarterback Luke Guhy finally connected on a big play with the 26-yard touchdown throw to Murrell.
Walton’s 1-handed over the head interception and long return on Holy Cross’s ensuing possession gave Mayfield a 14-0 boost that was all it needed to stay alive in the playoffs.
The Cardinals used a 26-yard scoring pass to Tyrese Murrell to finish the third quarter and a 53-yard interception return for a score by Gary Walton early in the final quarter that helped Mayfield open a bigger lead in their 24-7 victory.
Mayfield scored on its second possession of the game on Jarrod Noonan’s 5-yard touchdown run, but Holy Cross answered with 2:54 left in the first half.
The two teams traded possession three times in those last two minutes with Mayfield blocking a punt to get the ball at midfield. Xavier Shelton’s long run moved the ball to Holy Cross’s 6-yard line where Marc Wynstra beat the halftime buzzer with a 28-yard field goal for a 10-7 halftime lead.
The Cardinals held Holy Cross to 63 yards in the first half and 92 for the game.
Another blocked punt set up the third quarter score. After hitting just 3-of-15 passes with two interceptions in the first half, Mayfield quarterback Luke Guhy finally connected on a big play with the 26-yard touchdown throw to Murrell.
Walton’s 1-handed over the head interception and long return on Holy Cross’s ensuing possession gave Mayfield a 14-0 boost that was all it needed to stay alive in the playoffs.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Mayfield 7 3 7 7
Holy Cross 0 7 0 0
SCORING
M – Jarrod Noonan 5 run (Marc Wynstra kick) 6:05, 1st
HC – Devin Brown 2 run (Jacob Hazel kick) 2nd, 2:54
M – Wynstra 28 field goal, :03.9, 2nd
M – Tyrese Murrell 26 pass from Luke Guhy (Wynstra kick) :01. 3rd
M – Gary Walton 53 interception return (Wynstra) 11:34, 4th
TEAM TOTALS
First Downs: Mayfield 10, Holy Cross 5
Rushing: Mayfield 32-118, Holy Cross 30-58
Passing: Mayfield 6-22-2, 62 yds., Holy Cross 7-21-1, 34 yds.
Total yards: Mayfield 180, Holy Cross 92
Mayfield 7 3 7 7
Holy Cross 0 7 0 0
SCORING
M – Jarrod Noonan 5 run (Marc Wynstra kick) 6:05, 1st
HC – Devin Brown 2 run (Jacob Hazel kick) 2nd, 2:54
M – Wynstra 28 field goal, :03.9, 2nd
M – Tyrese Murrell 26 pass from Luke Guhy (Wynstra kick) :01. 3rd
M – Gary Walton 53 interception return (Wynstra) 11:34, 4th
TEAM TOTALS
First Downs: Mayfield 10, Holy Cross 5
Rushing: Mayfield 32-118, Holy Cross 30-58
Passing: Mayfield 6-22-2, 62 yds., Holy Cross 7-21-1, 34 yds.
Total yards: Mayfield 180, Holy Cross 92
