Coming Home Again Vol. 1 Issue 1 Joe Morris

VOL. 1 NO. 1
April 2019
FREE--Consider giving to Joe Morris Scholarship
Celebrating Joe Morris
20 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE
AS HEAD COACH
239-49

2

Joe Morris
Mayfield High School
Head Football Coach
Since 1999
First of all I would like to thank the Mayfield Independent School System for giving me the opportunity
to be a part of the Mayfield football program for the past 32 years.
I would like to thank all my former players. You have taught me how to be a better man and a better
coach. I would not be where I am today without all the great young men that I have been lucky enough to
coach. Thanks for making going to work each day fun.
I would also like to thank all my assistant coaches. I have always said that head coaches get too much
credit. I have been very blessed over my career to have coached with so many great coaches. I have learned so
much from them over my coaching career. Football is the ultimate team game and if it was not for the help of
so many great assistants over my 20 years. It has been much fun and has been my honor, Thanks!
To all my family and friends, thanks for all your support. Thank you for your guidance and always
being there during the good times and the bad times.
I am very fortunate to be a part of one of the most successful high school football programs in the
country. The Mayfield football program is ranked 4th nationally in all-time wins. We have won 12 state
Championships and 11 runner up. To be successful it takes a lot of great players, coaches, a great school system
and a great community. Thanks for allowing me to be a small part of it.
Joe Morris
KENT PRICE PLUMBING 247-9878
3

4
Joe Morris -- Growing Up Years
Top Row--Pictures of Janie, David & Joe
Joe 2nd, 3rd, 4th & ?th Grade Pictures
Joe #12 & David #22 Washington Redskins
Joe & Father Jack
Great Family Picture--(right)
Top--Carolyn, Jack, David Bottom--Janie & Joe
Kathy O’Nan--Mayor
City of Mayfield--Page Sponsor
4

Carolyn Morris shown with David, Jack and Joe
As a wife of a coach and a mother of two
coaches, I can truly say it has been a great experience
and one I am proud to have been associated.
The winning is exciting and the losses real
heart-breaking. It takes time to get over a loss;
however, some more than others. I am sure if you
have ever had a child who was participated in any
sport, you feel their hurt and their joy. I have been
Joe, Jack, David with daughter
Emma holding award for 150 Wins.
a part of all sports as a wife, mother, and grandmother
for as long as I can remember. It has been a
great and rewarding experience. Carolyn Morris
Emma, Joe, & Abram
Snappy Tomato Pizza
1106 Paris Road, Mayfield, KY 42066
270-251-9509 Lunch & Dinner Buffet
5

Coach
Water Boy
Emmerson Crouch
Joey Fosko is shown interviewing Joe. After
Joey died June 17, 2013, the 15 Athletic Directors
of the 1st Region established a Joey Fosko
Memorial Scholarship fund to be awarded yearly.
Funds for the scholarship is by increasing by
a dollar the price of the a game at each school
and it goes into the scholarship. Joe Morris
is quoted as saying, “Joey meant a lot to high
school athletics around here. Nobody knew high
school sports in this area like Joey Fosko. This is a
great way to thank him for all his hard work and
show that he will always be remembered”.
6

The only picture that could be found of Joe playing was loaned
by Richard Wright #68 and Joe in the center #65. They were
playing Murray High School.
JOE MORRIS
7

JACK & JOE MORRIS,
FOOTBALL’S TOP FATHER-SON
COACHING DUO
Written by Mike Fields in 2015 and updated by Lannie Lancaster 2019.
MAYFIELD – The first family of Mayfield High School football includes the most successful
father-son coaching duo in the history of Kentucky high school football.
Between them, Jack and Joe Morris have been part of the Cardinals’ program for
six decades – including a combined 44 years as head coach, during which time they’ve
accumulated 493 victories, 20 trips to the state finals, 12 state championships, and zero
losing seasons.
Jack first arrived at Mayfield in 1959 as a student teacher, then joined the football
staff as an assistant the next year. He left for an assistant’s job at Paducah Tilghman in 1968 but returned to Mayfield in 1969 to take over
as head coach. In 24 years as boss of the Cards, Jack had a record of 254-50-2, highlighted by four state titles (1977 ’78, ’85, ’86).
His son’s coaching career is following the same arc of triumph. Joe finished his 20th year as Mayfield’s head man. . He has an
overall record of 239-49, highlighted by six state titles (2002, ‘10, ‘12, ‘13, ’14, ‘15). Joe and his older brother David grew up immersed in
Mayfield football, tagging along with their dad to practice and riding the team bus. “I’ve been at every level possible here,” Joe said, “from
water boy to ball boy to player to assistant coach to head coach. I’ve done it all. It’s always been part of my life.”
Joe was an assistant under his dad for three years before Jack retired after the 1992 season. Paul Leahy, who had been an assistant
since 1971, took over as head coach and Joe was among his assistants. Mayfield won two state titles under Leahy (1993 ’95).
Joe became the Cards’ head man in 1999, fulfilling a long-held dream, but also aware of the pressures that came with the job.
“It was a big weight off my shoulders when we won the championship in 2002,” he said. “That was my first as head coach. We had
gone 8-6 the year before and I was sure there was some grumbling.” There’s been no reason for grumbling among Mayfield fans in recent
years. The Cards have played in nine of the last ten state finals and won five titles, including four in a row. They’ve won 138 of their last
149 games. A jump from Class A to 2Ain 2015 didn’t keep them from bringing home the big trophy. There’s little doubt Mayfield will be
rated No. 1 in 2A again this preseason. “If we don’t win a state championship again this year, (the fans) are going to think, ‘What are you
doing?’” Joe said.
“Our fans are very spoiled. I’ve been on the field after we’ve beaten a pretty good team by something like 35-7, and some guy, who
doesn’t mean anything by it, will say we didn’t play very well. They don’t just expect you to win here, they expect you to score every time.”
That’s the price you pay for being a powerhouse.
Jack Morris said Mayfield had strong football before he got here, but there’s no question he pushed the program to new heights.
His best teams were probably the ones that won state titles in the late 1970s and put together a 31-game winning streak during one stretch.
The Courier-Journal ranked the ’78 championship Cards the top team, regardless of class, in the state. Mayfield’s sustained excellence has
come even though it has always played (and usually beaten) bigger schools, even if it had to schedule teams from Illinois, Missouri and
Tennessee. (They’ve always had a difficult time finding area schools their size that will play them.)
The annual showdown with Tilghman is one of the state’s oldest and most intense rivalries. They’ve played 105 times since 1911
and we are tied at 49-46-10, but Mayfield has won the last 13 meetings, the longest such streak in the rivalry’s history.
“It’s amazing that we’ve beaten them 13 years in a row,” Jack said. “They’ve had so much speed and talent over the years, there’s no possible
way that should happen.” But that’s a staple of the Mayfield tradition: the players believe in their coaches and themselves.
“Our kids feel like they’re going to win when they walk on the field, no matter who we’re playing,” Joe said.
“It’s always been that way,” Jack added.
That’s not to say Mayfield has lacked talent itself. The Cards’ stick-out stars over the years have included quarterback David Fowler,
running back Marcus Moss and lineman Joe Prince. But the Cards have thrived because they’ve gotten the most out of good, solid high
school players who’ve grown up in the system and embraced the work ethic and team-first philosophy demanded of them.
“One thing that sets this program apart is that we don’t cast anybody aside, even if when they’re freshman and you wonder how
they could ever help you,” Joe said. “That’s why we’ve had several players who were one-year starters, when they were seniors. They’ve stuck
with it, even though they might have only played JV games or been on the scout team or on a special team. But then their senior year they
stepped in and started. We have more of that than most schools because these kids want to be part of Mayfield football.” The same can be
said of the Morris family.
Joe and David both played for their dad, and both were assistant coaches under him. Their sister Janie was a cheerleader. When Joe became
head coach, Jack served as his assistant for five years. (When David was head coach at Mercer County in the late 1990s, Jack was also
on his staff.) Jack retired as Mayfield’s head coach at the relatively young age of 55, but he’s never retired from being a Cardinal. At 81, he
still refers to the team as “our kids” and still beams with pride when talking about them. “Our kids believe they’re better than anybody. So
if you’re going to beat us, you have to be better than us, I guarantee you that,” Jack said with authority.
8

MHS 14
Corbin 13
1977
1977- MHS 14 Corbin 13 1985- MHS 18 Newport Central Catholic 8
1978 -MHS 22 Somerset 6 1986 MHS 21 Newport Central Catholic 20
9

2018 2010 TEAM Results RESULTS
Date Date Opponent Opponent W/L W/L Scored Score Allowed
8/208/17 Marshall
Union City,
County
TN
W
W 50 43-2716
8/288/24 Trigg
Hopkinsville
County
W
W 45 35-7 7
9/38/31 Paducah
Paducah
Tilghman
Tilghman
W (OT)
W 23 51-2720
9/109/7 @
at
Calloway
McCracken
County
County
W
W 48 51/210
9/179/14 @
at
Graves
Graves
County
County
W
W 43 56-2118
9/249/21 Fulton
vs Corbin
County
W
W 75 45-216
10/19/28 @
at
Fulton
Murray*
City
W
W 51 63-286
10/810/12 @
at
Ballard
Ballard
Memorial
Memorial*
W
W 52 50-2 0
10/22 10/19
Crittenden
Webster County*
County W
W 38 42-0 19
10/29 10/26
Caldwell
Caldwell
County
County*
W
W 49 31-140
*District Games
2010 Playoffs
2018 PLAYOFFS
11/511/2 Caverna Hancock County
11/12 11/9 Ballard McLean Memorial County
W
W
W 63
W 56
56-2814
55-207
11/19 11/16 @ Murray Holy Cross (Louisville) W W 59 57-1314
11/26 11/23 @ at Beechwood Walton-Verona W W 38 38-7 14
12/1 Christian Academy Louisville L 26-34
Year
1976
1977
1978
1985
1986
1987
1989
1991
1992
1993
1995
1998
2002
2005
2009
2010
Class
2A
2A
2A
2A
2A
2A
2A
2A
2A
2A
1A
1A
1A
1A
1A
1A
W/L
L
W
W
W
W
L
L
L
L
W
W
L
W
L
L
W
Title Game History
Score
Corbin
Mayfield
Mayfield
Mayfield
Mayfield
Danville
Danville
Danville
Danville
Mayfield
Mayfield
Middlesboro
Mayfield
Newport Catholic
Lexington Christian
Mayfield
6
14
22
18
21
24
7
17
34
13
28
27
14
42
55
47
Mayfield
Corbin
Somerset
Newport Central
Catholic
Newport Central
Catholic
Mayfield
Mayfield
Mayfield
Mayfield
Prestonsburg
Beechwood
Mayfield
Beechwood
Mayfield
0
13
6
8
20
23
3
14
7
12
7
6
7
7
19
6
10

MHS SENIORS-54-5
Defensive Tackle
Brotherhood amongst
the team and connection
between the
players and coaches.
Nose Guard
During the Corbin
game I got my first
sack for a loss of
yards and I started
Celebrating
with my boys We
ended up getting
the dubbed King-
Kong/bag season
Kicker Going to
practice everyday
with my teammates
and making new
friends and bonding
with them.
Left Guard/Offensive
Line Coming out of
the tunnel in War
Memorial stadium
for the last time with
my brothers against
Murray High..And oh
yeah me being late to
practice everyday.
Left Tackle/
Defensive Tackle
Becoming a varsity
starter as a sophomore,
going 54-5
in my high school
career. Going to state
3 times and winning
once. Getting to
know coaches and
players for Mayfield.
Defensive End Going to Coach Dew’s
house every Thursday before game day.
Graves game when I was real in my bag.
Tight End, Receiver,
Outside line backer
Playing on Kroger Field
for the last game of my
Senior Year!
Emerson Crouch
Water Boy
Future Star
11

ASSISTANT COACHES
Jessie
Blackburn
Todd
Hatchell
Chris
Watkins
Charles
Parrott
Cliff
Dew
Stephen
Hatchell
Joe Mike
Morris Rogers
James
Topp
Trey
Carvell
For years David Celaya was on the sidelines
taking pictures. Now his wife, Jill,
Celaya and daughter Lacey Coyle are
continuing his legacy.
The team pictures were contributed by
Wells Studio and they would be responsible
for many of the pictures in this
magazine. Thanks Jill & Lacey.
Joseph “Peewee” Petty seen at
the last state championship
game. I was given so many
pictures from so many people
and probably many of them
were taken by him and given to
players and fans.
Thanks Peewee for all you do.
Charles Parrott , middle school
coach, with son Carlos and
2010 Championship Trophy
12

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Owners: Joe R. Lookofsky & Doug Lindsey
Trophies & Plaques
Plastic Signs & Name Badges
Engraved Electrical Panel Labels
Advertising Specialties--Promotional Items
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270-247-6644
Greg Leath, FIC
Greg.Leath@mwarep.org
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Thanks Joe for All the Memories
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www.awardmastersonline.com Fax 247-8616
Proud of the Cardinals
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13

RED HELMET CLUB
This is the group that went on a Road Trip to scout
CAL vs. DeSales. Photo credit to Doug Sims.
“visit us on Facebook”
Blessed with a rain stoppage and a rainbow on game
night.
January 2019
Everett Lyles (front and center) on
November 9 of 2018 shared stories of
playing in the first game ever at legendary
War Memorial Stadium along with
working to help build the structure.
November 2018
Red Helmet Club
Meets every Friday @ 7:30 AM
Rita’s Cafe--Hall Hotel
May 2016--After seeing this photo,
Kathy O’Nan referred to The Red
Helmet Club as “The Brain-trust of
Cardinal football”.
Coach Paul Leahy would attend RHC meeting before Murray High Games
14

Barry McDonald
President
In 1958, when the Mayfield Board of Education
reached out to hire two young coaches in Tennessee,
Virgil Rains and Louis McDonald, a new era began for
Mayfield Football. In 1960 Jack Morris and Don Sparks
were added to the staff. The leadership to move the
Cardinal Football Program forward was in place. In the
mid 1960’s, two former players were reunited with their alma-mater
as coaches, Bubba Allen Brown and Joe David
Smith.
Over the past 60 plus years Mayfield Football has been
blessed by the coaches who have put their hearts and
souls into the same job of leading the student athletes of
Mayfield. These coaches knew they were not just teaching
the game of football, but more importantly molding
the lives of these young men.
When Coach Rains retired after the 1968 Season, Coach Morris took the head reigns and stability of staff remained in
place. The late 60’s and 70’s brought much success to the program. In 1971, Paul Leahy was added to the staff and other
coaches including Doc Sanders and Bob Counts came on board to be part of the winning program. Upon Coach Morris’
retirement and Coach Leahy becoming Head Coach, Joe Morris was included in his staff. It was more than fitting that Joe
would become the Head when Coach Leahy retired in 1999.
Joe Morris embraced the opportunity as the Head Coach and has had as much success as anyone could have ever
dreamed. Coach Joe, you must know that every former Coach and member of the Mayfield Football Family is proud of
the job you have done and the tradition you have sustained! Barry McDonald
1967, Jack Morris, Don Sparks,
HC-Virgil Raines, Louis McDonald
Louis McDonald, HC--Jack Morris,
Allen (Bubba) Brown, Joe David Smith,
freshman coach Paul Leahy, absent
Joe David Smith, Paul Leahy,
Neil Evelyn, Doc Sanders,
Head Coach--Jack Morris,
Louis McDonald.
Coach Mac was loved by all as shown in
the picture lower right. In 1982, in recognition of
25 years of coaching, the alumni and fans established
a scholarship in his name with the Murray
State University Foundation, Inc.
The scholarship is endowed and each year for the
past 30 years Barry McDonald has presented the
award. The person who has given the most consistently
is Coach Jack Morris which shows the greatness
of both coaches.
We encourage you to give to the Coach
Mac Scholarship by contacting MSU Development
Office at 270-809-3001.
1977 Championship Game-
Barry Mac, Barry Grooms,
Coach Mac, Don Sparks
15

2002
2002
Charli Stanley & Gracie Crouch
2010
2010
16

SEAY MOTORS SUPPORTS THE CARDINALS
2019 Seniors: Susan Guerrero, Amari
Kendrick, Aniya Fox, Chesea Sanchez Avery Seay Lexi Powell
Addi & Avery Seay
2018
2018 AT STATE GAME
CHEERLEADER COACHES
Nicole Youngblood 7 years
Alicia Byrn 24 years
Kara Dowdy 11 years
17

18

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Small Engine
Lawn and Garden Equipment
Sales & Service
CARSON
Jay McAlpin--2010-13
Owners: Steve & Ken McAlpin
P.O. Box 919 - 78 State Route 121
Mayfield, KY 42066
Phone (270) 247-0257
B F GOODRICH
MICHELIN & NEXEN
1880 St. Rt. 121 South • Mayfield, KY
Go
Cards
19

THE 2002 MAYFIELD CARDINALS
2001 was an extremely tough year in regards
to Mayfield football standards. We finished
the season 8-6 and lost a nail-biter in the
semi-finals to eventual champion and longtime
nemesis Danville. The silver lining to
that rough 2001 season was that the vast majority
of that team were sophomores and juniors,
so the 2002 season looked very promising.
Coach Joe, the staff, and we as players knew this was going to be our best
chance at bringing home championship #7, and we all knew that road would eventually run through
the defending champion Danville Admirals. As always, our schedule was
extremely tough and designed to get us ready for a post-season run. The
season started in Evansville, Indiana against local power Mater Dei, and
they, along with the rest of our 2002 regular season opponents (Hopkinsville,
Graves County, Paducah Tilghman, Jackson Northside, TN) would
suffer a similar fate…..a loss. As we rode a perfect regular season into the
playoffs, our eyes were focused squarely on getting revenge on the Danville
Admirals.
What most people may not know is that the coaching staff had every
single game film Danville played that year. That was tough to do back
then. This was before websites such as Hudl existed and made game film
so accessible. The amount of time prepping for this game didn’t start that
week. The coaches had been slowly preparing for them all season long.
We had been implementing an overloaded offensive line set along with a
“WILDCAT” package weekly just to use against Danville. Not surprisingly,
the Admirals were completely caught off guard and had no answer for
that overloaded set and the Derrick Parrott “WILDCAT” package. As usual, our defense (and I would
say Joe’s best…7.8 PPG), smothered the Danville offense, and we won 17-7 and earned a trip to the
championship game against the Beechwood Tigers.
In Louisville at Old Cardinal Stadium, like we planned all year, we brought home state title #7
(Joe’s first championship) by defeating the Beechwood tigers 14-7 and becoming the school’s first 15-0
team. That 2002 season symbolized for me the true definition of a complete team. When one area of our
team was struggling, another area would step up to fill that void. It was an extremely special season filled
with great teammates and a terrific coaching staff, and it was all a reflection of the main man in charge,
Coach Joe Morris. On behalf of the 2002 team, thanks for keeping the Big Red Machine rolling. It’s truly
remarkable what this program continues to accomplish. Now, let’s go get #13!!
Gregory Cook
20

Joey (Joe) Henderson--Assistant Coach
Joe Henderson went to high school at Todd County where he played football, basketball and baseball. He graduated
from Western KY University in 1996 where he also played football. In 1994 he was assistant coach at Ohio County.
1996-1997 Defensive coordinator at Union County. 2000 he became Assistant coach at MHS. Coach Henderson says
it was the football tradition that brought him to MHS. His goal for the year was to win the state championship and to
continue the success and tradition in the future. His most memorable play of the season was Adam Ivey’s field goal vs.
Danville to put us up by 10 points. His most memorable play of the state game was Saxton’s touchdown reception in
the 2nd quarter to put Mayfield up 7-0. When asked what the season has meant to him he answered “I am thankful
for having the opportunity to work with such a special group of young men. I am also grateful to be able to work with
a great coaching staff. (Copied from the 2002 Cardinal Spirit magazine)
Joe Henderson--Superintendent
I am a firm believer that God has placed everyone on earth for a purpose and my story of ending up
at Mayfield would definitely support that belief. In the Spring of 2000, I met Coach Joe Morris at a
coaches clinic in Bowling Green. As most coaches do, we talked football. Having played Mayfield
during the previous Fall, I feel we developed respect for each other based on how each of our teams
had played and, of course, the drawing of offensive and defensive schemes on napkins added to that
respect. Coach Morris told me that if I was ever interested in an assistants position to give him a
call. Later in the early Summer of 2000, as most young head coaches, I had high expectations for the
program that I was leading, however, it didn’t seem the administration shared those same goals. At
that point, I contacted Coach Morris to see if there was an opportunity to join his staff at Mayfield.
He explained that he had an opening, but was waiting on a resignation of a teaching position for my
certification. My wife, being a guidance counselor at Union County, began applying at other Region
1 schools with guidance counselor position openings. Not too long after applying, she received a
call from Lone Oak High School to schedule an interview. I told her that I wasn’t sure the Mayfield
position was going to work out, so she declined the interview. Approximately a week passed before
my wife and I come down to talk to Coach Morris and visit the school. Joe informed me
that the coaching and teaching position at Mayfield was officially available, however, he
was not sure there was anything for Lynn. After talking for a while, he ask us to go to the
school and meet Principal Steve Traynham. We entered Mr. Traynam’s office that day
and Coach Morris introduced us. After brief conversation, he looked at Lynn and commented
“do you want a job”. She asked, “what job,” and Mr. Traynham informed us that
his counselor was just hired at Lone Oak High School as their counselor.
I learned alot about the history of Mayfield Football through Joe Prince, a 1981 graduate
of Mayfield High School, while working under him as an assistant coach at both Ohio
County and Union County. That made the decision to resign as a head football coach
and become an assistant coach at one of the most storied football programs in the country
an easy decision. My attitude toward coaching fit perfect with Mayfield’s philosophy. It
is never about one player or coach; it is about winning and the MAYFIELD name on the
jersey. There have been some great coaches that I have met and coached with at Mayfield,
but the community and the athletes are the backbone of the program.
In 2004, I was hired in my first administrative position as principal at Mayfield Middle
School and could no longer coach in that position. There was some turnover in staff that
year, so Joe ask if I would still work in the press box on Friday nights until some of the
younger guys he hired gained some experience. Not knowing the complete game plan
each week would be difficult, but I agreed to do anything I could to help. Now, 15 years
have gone by and I am still in the press box each Friday night contributing in any manner
I can.
I am honored to be the Superintendent at Mayfield Independent Schools. I appreciate
that I have been able to be a small part of the football program over the last 18 years.
Winning never gets old.
Mater Dei
Graves County Economic Development
21

Vince Dawson
Cardinals Voice Since 1992
Vince’s relationship with Joe Morris started years ago when hey lived
together after graduating college. During that time they learned a lot about
each other while they were growing up. Vince said, “I don’t want to give
too much away.” They had a good time and got to know each other. Vince
finally got Joe to watch the Exorcist even though Joe does not like scary movies.
Coach David Morris lived with them for a while and it is where Vince’s
friendship really developed. They have called games together and David is
very knowledgeable of the game. Vince has learned so much about football
from both of them. Vince said, “It is just crazy how they analyze and how
they go about it. You learn their philosophy and when your living with them you also pick up their superstitions.”
Coach Mac for example wore red socks only one day a year--the Tilghman game. All those years he kept the same
pair of socks all that time which is incredible. Vince is sure it was Margie who was the genius to keep them for him.
While attending Mayfield High School Vince was involved with Roger Fields, Scott Schlosser, Jack Morris, Paul Leahy
and Lanny Lancaster through his growing up years . When you are involved in sports you spend more time with your
coaches than you spend with your family and the coaches help mold Vince and so many his age. Of Course, Mrs Shirley Ford
Colby help mold so many young people my age. You always remember them from you high school days. Coach Fields was
always very gracious as was Coach Schlosser and Coach Morris..
While at Murray State Vince worked with Coach Beamer who is now in the college Hall of Fame. Vince stated, “He
was not only a great coach but a very good man.” Now his son Shane has followed in his footsteps and is at Oklahoma. Coach
Mahony took over after that and they had the Mahony Show. He is still coach high school football. Coach Green was there
during his time at Murray as well.
Vince was also involved with Baseball Coach Johnny Reagan (who has the baseball field named after him at Murray
State. Vince tells how Coach Reagan called everyone by their sir name. Dave Winders was David and Vince was Vincent.
They were at Austin Peay for the OVC tournament. Coach Reagan came over and said Vincent I am going to Shoney’s for a
piece of pie would you like some. Vince said, “I will be fine.” Coach ask him if he would stay in his room and take messages
while he was gone. (That was before we had cell phones) Vince thinks Coach knew what was coming but Vince was not
aware that the coach was one of the most powerful men in college baseball. Coach
Reagan was chairman of the tournament placement committee and that determined
where you go and who got the home game. When Coach Regan came back to his
room and ask, “Vincent did anybody call?” With a hand full of notes of calls Vincent
yelled Coach, Coach Ron Pope called from Mississippi State. Coach Reagan stated,
Now, Vincent remember that Coach Ron puts his pants on like you do--one leg at a
time.” That was classic Coach Johnny Reagan!
In 1992 I started with Ron Gentry and Randy Reeves and in 1993 was Coach Leahy’s
first year as head coach. The year started off bad however they won the state
championship that year..
The one thing that Vince realizes is that over the years is the value of the friends he
has made over the past 30 years.
His daughters do not want to go with him, especially during football season because
there is someone always wanting to talk football. For him this is a lot of fun. He
sees people like Scott Robbins that remind him of a game against Tilghman in 1992
when it was rainy and cold and most everybody had left even Lon Carter Barton. Scott
recalls falling on a fumbled ball on the one yard line with no time on the clock. With
22

change of possession we had one play. Vince thinks it was 7 off to the left side and we
scored and won the game. Randy Reeves was quoted as saying, “If you left this game
early you got what you deserve. That game and so many others is what makes calling
games so exciting.
Also Vince remembers that in 2011 we were going to play Louisville Holy Cross
and that nothing was going right that day. It was the year Luke Guhy was a senior. There
was a bus wreck out front of the school that blocked Mayfield’s bus from getting there on
time and the game was delayed for an hour. It was a wet nightmare and William Higginson
twisted his knee and did not get to start. We had two big turnovers and Holy Cross
got on the board twice and is was 14-0 in the first quarter. Everyone was thinking Oh,
me! All of sudden it started clicking and we ended up getting a running clock. Vince
remembers the Holy Cross Coach that was up with the camera crew (because it was a
big deal playing Mayfield) saying, “I coached a lot of years but I have never been up 14-0
and have a running clock on me. This truly was a good team.
There were a lot of great games over the years. Mikey Bright running out of
bounds with no time on the clock trying to save time. That was 1995 and we got beat that
year by Hopkinsville which was the only loss. We went on to win the state Championship
that year. Hopkinsville had Otho Pinner who was to old to play and that caused all of Hopkinsville games to be forfeited.
So actually we had our first undefeated season but Coach Leahy would not take the game because that is not the way Mayfield
wins.
So Vince has called more Mayfield High games that anyone and continues to love the kids and coaches with a passion.
Vince like so many others is a living legend and truly a unique person and character. We are blessed to have him on
the side lines.
SUPPORT JOE MORRIS SCHOLARSHIP
Larry’s Loopholes
CORMAN, BRYAN, WATTS
& ELLIOTT, CPA’S PLLC
Congratulations Coach Joe Morris
J. LARRY STINSON, CPA
117 NORTH 7TH
Mayfield, KY 42066
(270) 247-7943
Cell: (270) 853-2128
Email: jlscpa@vci.net
Zane Cartwright Seen Playing
Quarterback For Middle School
23

2015
4 PEAT
2015 2015
Random
Team
Pictures
2011
Support
Joe Morris
Scholarship
2014
2015
24

Stone’s Health
Mart Pharmacy
414 South 9th Street, Mayfield, KY 42066
270-247-3232
Proud of our employee
and outstanding football player
Brady Smith
Congratulations Joe Morris
614 S. 6h Street, Mayfield, KY 42066
270-247-1616
Support Joe Morris,
& The Mayfield Cardinals
Winning Tradition
Lanny Lancaster’s
Mayfield High School
Football Volume 3
Statistics
Coming August 0f 2019
25

Jeff Bidwell Paid an Unbelievable Tribute to Coach Paul Leahy
Jeff is the best right up there with Larry McIntosh
Paul Leahy’s Six Seasons as Head Coach
1993: 12-3 (State champions) 1996: 12-2
1994: 11-3 1997: 10-2
1995: 14-1 (State Champions) 1998: 14-1 (State runner-up)
The picture above shows Coach Paul Leahy retiring and Assistant Coach Joe Morris becomes Head Coach.
Joe said that Coach Leahy was his mentor and his advice was to be yourself--not Jack Morris or me but be
yourself. He will be missed by so many players, fans, teachers. Coach Leahy also was the assistant coach
under Jack Morris beginning in 1971 as freshman coach. Also track coach from 1974-1990 and the track
carries his name. Jeff Bidwell closed by saying we lost a coach and a character.
26

Congrats
Joe
Morris
Tom Waldrop
Listing Agent
270-247-2734
270-705-2682
tom.waldrop@trifectares.com
Greg #86
1972
Tommy #74
1973
Alex #64
1975
Jim #33
1979
Julie
1976
12O9 Cuba Road,
270-247-8000
#20
1965-66-67
Da- David Morris
Broker/Owner
Licensed Appraiser
270-705-1927
dmorrisrealty@
bellsouth.net
David Morris was #20
1965-66-67
“I appreciate what
“I Really
Appreciate
Coach
Paul
Leahy”
Coach Leahy
did for the
football program.”
Paul Tinkle interviewing
Coach Paul Leahy
M
A
Y
F
I
E
L
D
Majestic Steak
& Pizza House
700 South 6th Street
Mayfield, KY 42066
270-247-2541
Proud
Supporters of
C
A
R
D
I
N
A
L
S
27

Mayfield/Graves
Tourism
P.O. Box 111
Mayfield, KY 42066
270-247-6106
www.visitmayfieldgraves
We Are Family
If I were to ask you what is the best thing about living in Mayfield, what would you say? When I asked several
people about that they all came back with the same response: we are family, this is home.
Recently, a good example of this came up. Mayfield High School’s former football coach,
Leahy, passed away. Within hours, pretty much everyone in town knew of his death and
began mourning him. Over at Stone’s Drugs they filled about 500 prescriptions that day.
Almost everyone who came in greeted the staff with the declaration of Coach Leary’s
death and began telling stories about their memories of him. And then there seemed to
be a moment of silence. It was as if the entire town was at his wake.
There are other things as well. For instance, we don’t have a Starbuck’s in Mayfield, but we do have Café Au Latte
and I might be a little biased here, but I think they are better than Starbucks. They know you by name. They know
what you order, you don’t have to stand in line. Shoot, you pretty much have your own parking spot. That’s true
at other places throughout the community. There are a lot of restaurants that I go in that they know exactly what
I’m going to get. They know my family doesn’t need a menu. We know it, front to back.
A lot of us have our same parking space at the area churches. I’m reminded of a cartoon where an older woman
is welcoming a new person to church but tells them to move because they are in her pew. There are some people
who have sat in the same pew their entire lives, and heaven forbid, someone get in their pew. Years ago, rather than
tithing, families paid rent on their pews in church. In some older churches there were even name tags on the end
of the church pews as to who was “renting” that pew.
One of the cool things about our community are the civic and non-profit organizations. There is the Rotary, Kiwanis
and Lions Clubs. They are extremely active and do all kinds of good things for our community. Everyone
supports our local food pantry, Need Line, sometimes to the point that they need more storage. They’re not complaining
I can tell you that.
But, personally, the best thing about Mayfield are the people. Yes, there are families that can trace their family back
5 or 6 generations, even more. And most families are extremely close. It is true that there are members of families
who do not get along, but at the end of the day they are family and will always have each other’s back.
Come on home, we’d love to see you.
28
SUPPORT JOE MORRIS SCHOLARSHIP

A PROUD SUPPORTER OF THE MAYFIELD CARDINALS
A PROUD SUPPORTER OF THE MAYFIELD CARDINALS
29

30

31

• Businesses
•Local Attractions
• Restaurants
• Shopping
• And more!
VOL. 1 NO. 1
April 2019
COMING HOME
JUNE 2019
Mayfield First Responders
LOOK INSIDE!
All the info you need to
live, work & play in
Mayfield & Graves Co.
Mayfield Reunion
Celebrating Joe Morris
20 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE
AS HEAD COACH
239-49
PETRA PREG CRUTHFIELD KIM DUBLIN
Assistant to Mayfield First Woman Superintendent
City Mayor
at Graves County
KATHY O'NAN
Mayfield City Mayor
Nathan Kent, Police Chief
Jeremy Creason, Fire Chief/
Ambulance Director
Fire Station #1, City Hall Campus
TERESA ROCHETTI-CANTRELL
First Woman Mayor
City of Mayfield
DEANNA TAYLOR
Owner of Dinner Bell
Restaurant
Coming Home Again is proud the first edition is Joe Morris Celebrating 32 years of coaching. Please
thank all the sponsors that made this edition possible. I had hoped for twenty pages and we had enough support
for 32 pages. We will publish a magazine every time we have ideas and information to present. We plan to bring
stories that are not normally told. Our next edition will feature six women, followed by a magazine for First
Responders, Reunion and Homeless Youth.
Working on this magazine has been pure joy for me. As a young person football was the only real discipline
in my life. In 1958, Coach Mac’s first year, he made a significant impact on my life. Also was Coach Virgil
Raines first year and since all the mistakes in this publication I am responsible. He would say you got to remember
that Mel was a lineman, what did you expect.
I do not know Joe Morris like many of you know him but four years ago I approached him about an endowed
scholarship like Coach Mac’s. From the beginning he made me aware it was not about him! I made him
aware that the scholarship was about the students that would receive the Joe Morris scholarship each year. I had
planned a Joe Morris Roast to get the scholarship promoted. The day I was to share about the roast on “Tosh
Talks Sports” he said that he did not really want the Roast but we could go ahead. Joe does not want the lime light
or public recognition. You see his heart when this year’s team lost the championship game and the press came to
see what he would say. His comments were these seniors have nothing to be ashamed they were 54 and 5.
When he received the Jackson Purchase Coach of the Year award, Joe comments were: “There are a lot of
great coaches in the Jackson Purchase that deserve this and I give credit to my coaches and players”, and spent
the rest of the time talking about his players.
Darrell Demoss, Equipment manager for 20 years, told me that Coach Jack, his dad, use to say I can yell
at David his oldest son but if I yell at Joe he will just pout.
So the magazine edition is to share some of Joe’s life and it is my hope you will be led to contribute to the
Joe Morris scholarship. Coach Mac’s scholarship (page 15) has been given for 30 years. Five years before Coach
Mac retired a group of former players and fans established this scholarship. If you give now and in the future
this scholarship will also be endowed.
Mel Doughty
PO BOX 751
DENISE THOMPSON
Chamber of Commerce
President
Mayfield, KY 42066
Additional Pages: Tourism, Summit,
Graves County Growth, Trace Creek?,
1/8 Acree Realty?, 10 banner pages plus
Dairyman’s. 16 pages min.
Fire Station #2, North 16th & Broadway
Fire Station #3, South 10th & Farthing
July 20, 2019
Mayfield High School Commons
Joe Morris
Scholarship
All Checks for the Joe Morris Scholarship will be made to
the Mayfield Community Foundation. Joe will determine
the guidelines for the scholarship, however, the student will
be able to choose any school they want to attend. Plus the recipient will be an athlete for Mayfield High School.
All money will be kept in the Joe Morris Scholarship fund. We are encouraging those who wish to give to the
Scholarship to consider a three year pledge. Our goal is to have an endowed scholarship as soon as possible. Read
page 6 about a scholarship set up for Joey Fosko and repeating on page 15 read about about the Coach Mac Scholarship
that has been given out for 30 years. Let’s make this happen for JOE MORRIS!