Titans battle with 6A powerhouse in season opener
Samuel Warren
Herald Staff
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The Mercer County Titans football team began their season a day after most other programs around the state on Saturday, Aug. 24, in the second kickoff of the Fort Harrod Little Caesars Bowl at Alvis Johnson Field. Moments before, the Woodford County Yellow Jackets completed a 54-14 rout of Taylor County. A year ago, Woodford County fell to Bullitt East in the Fort Harrod Little Caesars Bowl, 41-28. Two years ago, Bullitt East won 13 straight games before defeating Male in the 6A state finals, claiming the program’s first ever state championship. Even two years removed from their pinnacle achievement, if Mercer County managed to win it would be the most prestigious victory in the Titans’ history, outside of the 15-12 victory over Russell High School in 2006.
Titan wideouts, from left to right, Braidin Baughman, Jayden Sailor and Cameron Bottoms lined up in a bunch formation and watched for the snap during the first quarter of Mercer County’s 28-14 loss to Bullitt East in the Fort Harrod Little Caesars Bowl on Saturday, Aug. 24 (The Harrodsburg Herald/Samuel Warren).
Both teams took some time to readjust and shake off the dust from a long offseason. Within 60 seconds of the opening kickoff, Mercer County’s Braidin Baughman delivered a crucial hit, forcing a fumble by the Chargers, and the Mercer County offense shot themselves in the foot with back-to-back penalties. The Titans rallied and proved early the Chargers’ prowess wasn’t going to have an effect at the line of scrimmage. Ashton Drakeford started at quarterback for much of the game while Cornelius Mapp took select snaps throughout the contest. Drakeford connected with junior Jayden Sailor on a crossing route for a gain of 25 and put the Titans in a position to take an early lead. One play later, Baughman took the handoff out of shotgun and darted to the pylon. Daniel Butler’s extra point attempt put the Titans up 7-0 with 9:30 remaining in the opening quarter.
Titan defensive end Juhon Goodman was just inches away from knocking the ball loose from quarterback Cole Cornell during Mercer’s season opening game against Bullitt East on Saturday, Aug. 24. (The Harrodsburg Herald/Samuel Warren)
