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On Thursday, the George Rogers Clark Cardinals football team helped welcome a new season under the bright lights at Cardinal Stadium. 

To honor full-contact practices allowed for high school football teams in the state of Kentucky, the Cards held their yearly midnight practice—which they call Midnight Madness—in the early morning hours of Thursday, August 1. 

The GRC football team, set to scrimmage in Greenup County on Friday, August 9, and at Corbin on Friday, August 16, has been busy this offseason with 7-on-7 events, significant man challenges, and more. 

At the Madness event, receivers could be seen running routes downfield, intent on catching a pass from a quarterback, with defensive backs eager to stop them. 

While receivers such as senior Yeremiah Israel could be seen successfully catching passes, defenders such as junior Santi Guerrant made plays, including interceptions that – in a game situation – could’ve been taken back for points. 

“At that moment, I just followed what Coach Chirico always told me,” Guerrant said. “Never look at the QB. Always look at the wide receiver.” 

Yet at the strike of midnight, a new and excitable energy was found. 

With players now able to compete against each other in full contact, a variety of drills occurred. 

Among them was an open-field tackle drill, in which a football was pitched to a ball carrier who attempted to run past a would-be tackler. 

While coaches such as defensive coordinator Matt Chandler encouraged linebackers and others not to lunge for the ball carrier, new running backs coach Nathaniel Davidson focused on ensuring that skill position players were fundamentally sound. 

“I just want to see running backs running downhill,” he said. “I want to see pads popping and hard running.” 

In addition, players competed in a drill they’ve titled “Cardinal Alley.” 

During this exercise, a player will attempt to run from the 20-yard line to a tackling sled in the end zone. 

However, they must first get past three blockers who stand in their way. 

Among additional drills, players participated in an “Oklahoma” drill. 

Popularized by late University of Oklahoma Head Football Coach Bud Wilkinson, this drill showcases an offensive and defensive lineman in a head-to-head matchup while a linebacker or defensive back attempts to tackle a runner following a hand-off. 

Senior Kash White, who will play center as a returning offensive lineman this year, expressed enthusiasm at being able to make contact again.

“I love…just getting after it and working [and] preparing to hit for this season,” he said, referencing Cardinal Alley as a personal favorite. “Keep fighting to knock that barrel over at the end.” 

Throughout the event, Chirico also gathered players, providing them with positive and motivational messages to help guide them through the practice and upcoming season. 

“It takes as much effort to block as it does not to block,” he stated. “You’ve got to want that fight! If you don’t want that fight, you’re in the wrong business.”