McCracken County got the best of their cross-town rivals, Paducah Tilghman Monday night in the opening round of the First District tournament. In the win-or-go-home matchup, the Mustangs would rally in the second half, advancing to the championship game with a 6-1 victory over the Blue Tornado.
A first-half defensive stalemate would result in an event-filled second, with Tilghman making the first successful advance.
Senior Aaron Ladd would assist with that strike when a free kick from midfield sailed into the box where Silas Williams stood waiting with a header to give the Blue Tornado the 1-0 lead with 36:06 to go in the second half.
Sometimes a goal is all it takes to spark a fire within a team. This time it was the Tilghman goal that ignited the fire for McCracken. Freshman Tate Shoulta would have the honors of responding just under two minutes later when a short cross through the box found his foot for the 1-1 score at the 34:29 mark
From there it was all McCracken offensively, though the pressure remained heavy going both ways.
Kaden McKenzie struck next in a chaotic sequence that gave the Mustangs multiple attempts from close quarters before the sophomore snuck one in from the crowded box with 26:37 on the clock.
Maks Hazel made it 3-1 just two minutes later on a sneaky shot, faking right and tapping it bottom left of the net.
William O’Neill would keep with the scoring ways he’s established all season, adding to his 13 goals this season with two more to boost the lead Monday night.
His first came from a throw-in courtesy of Johnny Mendoza at the 17:30 mark for the 4-1 goal and again with 11:50 left on a cross in the box.
Things got chippy as time wound down, as Tilghman was dealt a pair of yellow cards, showing the true passion of the district rivalry.
Carson Crane would have the last laugh when he went one-on-one with Tilghman keeper Nolan Black for the final 6-1 score. Black kept things from getting out of hand quicker than it did, stopping multiple shots on goal throughout the night.
McCracken will advance to the First District Championship to take on Marshall County on Wednesday night, while Tilghman’s season comes to a close with a record of 11-9-1.