No. 7 Paducah proved too much for the Hermleigh boys Tuesday night, routing the Cardinals 66-29 in a Region II-1A quarterfinal at McMurry’s Kimbrel Arena. But the loss didn’t diminish the positive steps coach Kia McCarty’s squad made this season.

Finishing at 17-14 with their first two playoff wins since 1907, the Cardinals experienced historic success in McCarty’s first season as a head coach.

And following the game, after giving the Dragons the credit they earned with Tuesday’s victory, it was that fact the coach wanted to focus on.