Rocket shutout guarantees playoff berth

 

ELKTON, Ky. – After a sometimes difficult first half that included a couple of lopsided losses and one hard-fought district win, it was about time for the Rockets to get a walk in the park.

Crittenden County (2-4 overall) is now 2-1 in Class A First District action heading into a bye week after dispatching winless Todd County Central 36-0 in something akin to an abbreviated game.

Kaden Harrington rushing

The Rockets whitewashed the Rebels in the first half, imposing the mercy-rule running clock with just under six minutes to go before halftime. Todd’s hapless offense struggled to simply get a snap off in the shotgun formation, fumbled often and failed to cover two CCHS kickoffs. The Rebels had minus-21 yards of offense in the first half and finished with no rushing yards. Of their 73 passing yards, 43 came on one play late in the second half against the Crittenden reserves.

For the second half, the game was shortened from 12- to eight-minute quarters.

Junior starting quarterback Conner Poindexter, who missed last week’s game because of a knee injury, came back and completed all four of his attempts and threw one touchdown. 

Hayden Hughes, who had played superbly last week as backup QB, played every other offensive series in the first half, completing both of his passes, including a touchdown to Davis Perryman. Hughes also covered a kickoff in the first half, and Draven Farmer and Joel Bumpus each recovered Todd Central fumbles.

Noah Byford, who caught the game’s first scoring pass from Poindexter, also had two fumble recoveries, including one that gave the Rockets a short field on its second possession. From there CCHS scored its first of three rushing touchdowns. Eli Lovell rushed for two scores and Logan Nolan another. CCHS scored on all five first-half possessions and kicker Mitchell Brown remained perfect on the season, making all four of his PATs.

Crittenden has secured a spot in the postseason with two district wins and can improve its playoff seeding with a victory in two weeks at Rocket Stadium for homecoming against Fort Campbell.

SCORE BY QUARTERS 

Crittenden County 22 14 0 0

Todd Co. Central 0 0 0 0

SCORING PLAYS

C-Noah Byford 8 pass from Conner Poindexter (Eli Lovell run) 6:04, 1st

C-Lovell, 3 run (Mitchell Brown kick), 4:01, 1st

C-Lovell 11 pass from Poindexter (Brown kick), 2:29, 1st

C-Davis Perryman 11 pass from Hayden Hughes (Brown kick), 9:47, 2nd

C-Logan Nolan, 3 run (Brown kick), 5:09, 2nd

TEAM TOTALS

First Downs: CCHS 11, TCC 3

Penalties: CCHS 10-80, TCC 8-90

Rushing: 27-155, TCC 15-0

Passing: CCHS 8-8-0, 62; TCC 7-12-0, 73

Total Yards: CCHS 206, TCC 73

Fumbles/Lost: CCHS 5-2, TCC 7-4

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS 

Rushing

CCHS: Nolan 9-54, Joel Bumpus 5-39, Troy Daniel 5-22, Lovell 1-3, Hayden Hughes 1-22, Caden Blazina 3-16, Poindexter 3-(-1).

Passing

CCHS: Poindexter 5-5-0, 51; Hughes 2-2-0, 17; Daniel 1-1-0, (-6).

Receiving

CCHS: Hayden Hughes 2-36, Byford 1-8, Lovell 2-6, Perryman 1-11. Kaden Herrington 1-7, Dalton Murray 1-(-6).

Defense: Byford 3 solos, 2 TFL, 2 fumble recoveries; Murray 3 solos, assist, caused fumble, TFL; Perryman assist, roach; J.Rich roach; Hewitt assist; Lovell 2 solos; Nash solo, assist, TFL; A.Rich 3 solos, assist, TFL; Bumpus solo; Counts solo, assist; Croft 3 solos, 2 TFL; Herrington 2 solos, assist, TFL, sack; Hughes solo, assist, fumble recovery; Daniel fumble recovery; Walters solo, assist, 2 roaches; Farmer roach.

Records: CCHS 3-4 (2-1), TCC 0-7, 0-3

Rockets on the road to Todd Central

 

Rocket Football Coach’s Show is brought to you by local partners and The Crittenden Press. Join Coach Gaige Courtney and host Chris Evans – plus other special guests – as they discuss the upcoming game and provide insights into the football program. For more, including stats, photos, articles, history and team records see RocketsFootball.com.

WHITETAIL PROPERTIES

Mark Williams Land Team

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Curnel Ag

Farmers Bank and Trust Co

First United Bank

USA Mortgage, Darrick Myers

Johnson’s Furniture and Appliance

Full Body Fitness Studio Serena Dickerson trainer 

YTG Insurance, Tanner Tabor agent

Hodge’s Sports and Apparel

C-Plant Federal Credit Union 

Livingston Hospital | Deaconess

H&H Home and Hardware

Par 4 Plastics

Beavers Heating and Air

Gilbert Funeral Home

Barrett Sherer Taxidermy and Barn Reclamation

Dr. Johnny Newcom, chiropractor

Grant Gardner Seal Coating

Megan Roberts Chiropractic

At A Glance: A Trigg County Recap and a Todd County Central Preview

TRIGG COUNTY RECAP

• Crittenden County has had a 100-yard rusher in two games this season including one against Trigg County. That is notable considering that, over the previous 55 games dating back to 2021, the Rockets produced a 100-yard rusher in only three games.
• Against Trigg County, Crittenden County scored three rushing touchdowns without throwing a touchdown pass. It marked the first time in 41 games that the Rockets had scored at least three rushing touchdowns without a passing touchdown, dating back to the 2023 season opener against Webster County.

A GAME OF INCHES... AND 261 PENALTY YARDS

• The 29 combined penalties by Crittenden County and Trigg County were

Rockets capture key district win 21-20 over Trigg

 

MARION, Ky. – In his first varsity start at quarterback, sophomore Hayden Hughes gave Crittenden County the spark it needed Friday night. The Rockets scored twice in the fourth quarter, survived a late Trigg County touchdown and held on for a 21-20 victory in front of a large home crowd.

Hughes started in place of Conner Poindexter, who injured his knee last week and was limited to holding on extra points. Hughes rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns and passed for 160 yards, accounting for 267 yards of offense.

Trailing 14-7 after three quarters, Crittenden tied the game on Hughes’ 27-yard run just nine seconds into the fourth period. Noah Byford’s 58-yard catch later set up the go-ahead drive. Inside the Trigg 10, Hughes dropped two consecutive snaps but recovered both, kept the offense moving and scored on a 1-yard keeper with 6:13 left.

Hayden Hughes was a key player in his
first start at QB for the Rockets.

“I was a little nervous coming out starting at quarterback,” Hughes said. “We played with heart and were aggressive in the fourth quarter.”

Trigg answered with Caden Scott’s 11-yard touchdown run with 1:37 remaining. However, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the end zone pushed the extra-point attempt back to the 25-yard line, and the kick fell short, leaving the Rockets ahead by one.

The comeback had been kept within reach by two Crittenden defensive stands inside its 10-yard line late in the third quarter. Joel Bumpus stopped a fourth-and-goal play from the 3 on Trigg’s second trip into the red zone.

Penalties repeatedly broke up the game’s rhythm. The teams drew 29 flags, including 17 against Trigg for 165 yards. 

Eli Lovell scored Crittenden’s first touchdown on a 2-yard run and caught five passes for 94 yards.

“There was a special crowd here tonight. It was packed, and we needed every last one of them,” Coach Gaige Courtney said. “We showed a lot of fight through a lot of adversity.”

Crittenden (2-4, 1-1 district) has beaten Trigg six straight times. Now, just one more district win over its remaining three league games would secure a playoff berth. And with this one in hand, CCHS has a legitimate shot earning at least a No. 3 seed for the playoffs.

The Rockets will be at Todd Central next week for another district game then will have a bye week before topping off the district schedule at home against Fort Campbell then on the road at Caldwell County.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Trigg County 0 14 0 6

Crittenden Co. 0 7 0 14

SCORING PLAYS

CC-Eli Lovell, 2 run (Mitchell Brown kick), 9:21, 2nd

TC-Zamarrion Broussard, 8 run (kick), 9:04, 2nd

TC-Deonatae Edison 4 run (kick) :38, 2nd

CC-Hayden Hughes 27 run (Brown kick) 11:51, 4th

CC-Hughes 1 run (Brown kick) 6:13, 4th

TC-Caden Scott 11 run (kick failed) 1:37, 4th

TEAM TOTALS

First Downs: CCHS 13, TCHS 12

Penalties: CCHS 12-96, TCHS 17-165

Rushing: CCHS 26-152, TCHS 31-139

Passing: CCHS 10-19-0, 160; TCHS 13-23-0, 147

Total Yards: CCHS 312, TCHS 286

Fumbles/Lost: CCHS 2-0, TCHS 4-0

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing

CCHS: Hughes 10-107, Logan Nolan 6-19, Joel Bumpus 5-17, Lovell 5-9. TCHS: MarQuayvion Green 6-50, Scott 11-45.

Passing

CCHS: Hughes 10-19-0, 160; TCHS: Scott 13-23-0, 147.

Receiving

CCHS: Lovell 5-94, Noah Byford 1-58, Davis Perryman 2-1, Alex Hewitt 1-5, Nolan 1-2. TCHS: Conner Bellows 9-89.

Defense

Byford 3 solos, 2 assists, TFL; Nolan 3 solos, 4 assists, roach; Perryman 6 solos; Rich solo; Curnel 3 solos, assist, TFL, roach; Hewitt 3 solos; Lovell 3 solos, 4 assists; Nash 3 solos, assist, TFL; Phillips solo; 2 roaches; A.Rich 3 solos, 4 assists, TFL; Bumpus 10 solos, 4 assists; Counts 2 solos; Hughes 3 solos, assist; Sherer solo, TFL; Daniel solo; Walters roach. 

Players of the Game: Defense Joel Bumpus, Lineman Jake Rich, Special Teams Mitchell Brown, Offense Hayden Hughes.

Records: CCHS 2-4 (1-1); TCHS 1-5 (0-2)

Critical matchup for Rockets this week

 

Rocket Football Coach’s Show is brought to you by local partners and The Crittenden Press. Join Coach Gaige Courtney and host Chris Evans – plus other special guests – as they discuss the upcoming game and provide insights into the football program. For more, including stats, photos, articles, history and team records see RocketsFootball.com.

WHITETAIL PROPERTIES

Mark Williams Land Team

--------

Curnel Ag

Farmers Bank and Trust Co

First United Bank

USA Mortgage, Darrick Myers

Johnson’s Furniture and Appliance

Full Body Fitness Studio Serena Dickerson trainer 

YTG Insurance, Tanner Tabor agent

Hodge’s Sports and Apparel

C-Plant Federal Credit Union 

Livingston Hospital | Deaconess

H&H Home and Hardware

Par 4 Plastics

Beavers Heating and Air

Gilbert Funeral Home

Barrett Sherer Taxidermy and Barn Reclamation

Dr. Johnny Newcom, chiropractor

Grant Gardner Seal Coating

Megan Roberts Chiropractic

Rockets steamrolled 56-7 by Mayfield

MARION, Ky. — Crittenden County ran headlong into Mayfield’s big-play machine Friday, allowing more than 55 points for just the 19th time ever in a 56-7 setback at Rocket Stadium.

Mayfield scored on every possession by its varsity offense and added two touchdowns during mop-up duty. The Cardinals built a 28-0 lead in the first quarter and were ahead 42-0 by halftime.

The loss was Crittenden County’s second straight by a wide margin, dropping the Rockets to 1-4 at the midpoint of their 10-game schedule.

Eli Lovell trying to find running room

Compounding the loss was a knee injury to quarterback Conner Poindexter. The junior was hurt while being sacked with 4:29 remaining in the first quarter. He returned for another series but was removed by medical personnel before halftime and did not return. He was scheduled to undergo an MRI.

Freshman Chase Walters also was helped from the field with an injury.

Mayfield frequently worked with a short field and rarely failed to cash in. Josiah England rushed five times for 68 yards and two touchdowns, breaking scoring runs of 26 and 38 yards.

Cardinals quarterback Gray Robbins completed five of six passes for 176 yards as Mayfield’s quick, sure-handed receivers hauled in almost everything thrown their way. The Cardinals finished with 352 yards, including 247 through the air.

Crittenden County avoided the shutout on its final possession when backup quarterback Hayden Hughes connected with Eli Lovell for a 42-yard touchdown. Mitchell Brown kicked the extra point. Hughes passed for 50 yards and rushed for 23, while Joel Bumpus led the Rockets on the ground with 25 yards.

Mayfield (4-1), a 13-time state champion playing under first-year coach Stephen Hatchell, remains a favorite to win the Class 2A First District.

Coach Gaige Courtney’s message afterward was simple: Put this one away and move forward.

The Rockets have two important district games before their fall-break open date, hosting Trigg County next Friday before traveling to Todd Central. Both are games Crittenden believes it can win.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Mayfield 28 14 7 7

Crittenden 0 0 0 7

SCORING PLAYS

M-Christopher Hollingsworth 27 pass from Gray Robbins (Carson Herbst) 6:15, 1st

M-Karsen Neely 25 pass from Robbins (kick) 4:58, 1st

M-Josiah England 26 run (kick) 3:18, 1st

M-England 38 run (kick) 2:01, 1st

M-Ashton Flint 30 pass from Robins (kick) 9:52, 2nd

M-5 29 pass from Robbins (kick) 4:39, 2nd

M-McNeely 46 pass from Robbins (kick) 8:06, 3rd

M-#4 24 pass from Carson Price (kick) 10:27, 4th

C-Eli Lovell 42 pass from Hayden Hughes (Mitchell Brown kick) 4:02, 4th

TEAM TOTALS

First Downs: CCHS 5, MHS 7

Penalties: CCHS 5, MHS 7

Rushing: CCHS 26-98, MHS 14-105

Passing: CCHS 2–9-2, 50; MHS 8-9-0, 247

Total Yards: CCHS 148, MHS 352

Fumbles/Lost: CCHS 1-1, MHS 1-0

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing

CCHS: Joel Bumpus 5-25, Logan Nolan 4-17, Lovell 5-17, Hughes 6-23, Conner Poindexter 6-16. MHS: England 5-68.

Passing

CCHS: Poindexter 0-3-1; Hughes 2–6-1, 50. MHS: Robbins 5-6-0, 176.

Receiving 

CCHS: Lovell 1-41, Davis Perryman 1-9.

Defense 

Byford solo; Perryman 2 solos; Murray roach; J.Rich roach; Blazina assist; Curnel 3 solos, assist, roach; Lovell 3 solos; Nash assist; A.Rich solo, assist; Bumpus 5 solos, assist, 2 roaches; Burns solo; Counts solo; Herrington solo; Hughes 2 solos; Sherer roach.

Players of the Game: Lineman Jake Rich, Special Teams Mitchell Brown, Defense Joel Bumpus.

Records: CCHS 1-4, Mayfield 4-1

Former Rocket's mission is now clear

Zechariah “Zech” McGahan once found it difficult to share his Christian faith as a student-athlete at Crittenden County High School. Now, the former Rocket football player is preparing to make ministry his full-time vocation through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

McGahan, 22, is serving a 10-month internship with FCA in central Kentucky while raising the financial support required for the position. He hopes the internship, which runs from September through May, will lead to a permanent, full-time role with the organization.

To complete the internship, McGahan must raise $8,500. He is asking individuals, churches and businesses from his hometown and elsewhere to consider making one-time gifts or joining his monthly support team. Contributions made through FCA are tax-deductible.

The ministry represents a new direction for McGahan, but it also places him on a familiar path. His father, the late Troy McGahan, spent nearly three decades in ministry and served as pastor of Central Baptist Church in Marion. He was also well known throughout the community as a radio personality at WMJL.

Troy McGahan died unexpectedly in 2024, during the summer before his son’s junior year of college.

Before his death, the elder McGahan had begun to sense that his son might eventually enter ministry.

“Toward the end of my dad’s life, he asked me, ‘Are you thinking of going into ministry?’” McGahan recalled. “I told him, ‘I don’t know.’”

His father later shared his thoughts with McGahan’s mother, Terra, and others close to the family.

“He said, ‘I think the Lord is going to call him into ministry,’” McGahan said. “He didn’t necessarily see