Edmonson County Wildcats Lose in Round 1 to Murray Tigers

Edmonson County senior running back Carter Swihart(88) breaks a tackle to run for a touchdown on the road against Murray High School in the KHSAA Division 2A Round 1 Playoffs Friday November 8 in Murray.

Story and photos by Joseph Barkoff:
​The Edmonson County Wildcats (6-4 regular season, 6-5 season) lost in Round 1 of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association Class 2A Playoffs to powerhouse Murray High School (8-3) 48-7 Friday, November 8th in Murray.
 
Maybe it’s fitting to end the long season, both literal and figurative, with a long road trip, also both literal and figurative? While life lessons generally are not fondly looked upon, someone always seems to point out the positives from the negatives.
 
“This ain't the end,” Edmonson County head coach Justine Vessels said to his team gathered around him at the end of the game near the end zone under the scoreboard. “Because the seniors have set a good standard, we are gonna keep this goin’. We’ll keep getting better and better.”
 
There is nothing to hang their heads about, Vessels added. They just ran into a team, bigger, stronger and faster than them.
 
Vessels also reminded the squad, they have only had one off season training with him, so far.
 
“I love this team,” Vessels said.
 
They have been extremely coachable all season, he told them as well.

Edmonson County senior fullback Garret Lyons stretches with the ball for extra yards on the road against Murray High School in the KHSAA Division 2A Round 1 Playoffs Friday November 8 in Murray.

Edmonson County senior running back Carter Swihart(88) breaks a tackle to run for a touchdown on the road against Murray High School in the KHSAA Division 2A Round 1 Playoffs Friday November 8 in Murray.

The game was a loss on the scoreboard, but a win for the team overall.
 
Edmonson County saw their first winning record in seven years. 

The veterans on the squad put their trust in a new system and coach, and through their work ethic, determination and love for each other, have shown not only the team of youngsters coming up into varsity and the returning players, next year’s veteran and seniors, that Edmonson County can and will win, but they may have inspired folks who may not have had the intestinal fortitude to suffer through losing seasons, that now, might just be the time to get in on the ground floor, as they say.
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Edmonson County Wildcats players exchange hugs after a tough loss on the road against Murray High School in the KHSAA Division 2A Round 1 Playoffs Friday November 8 in Murray. The Wildcats had their first winning season in seven years, going 6-4 on the regular season and 6-5 overall losing in the first round.

​One fan watching on the Edmonson County Live Broadcast summed it up best in the comments.
 
“Win or lose y’all have done a great job this year,” Paul and Gina Miller wrote on Facebook.
 
The sentiment was echoed across the comments.
 
“Well EC wildcats(sic) had a good year no matter the game,” another fan Chris Grimsley wrote on Facebook.
 
Indeed, they did. Next year may be even better.