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On a night when the George Rogers Clark Cardinals football team waited until after 9:00 p.m. for the opening kickoff and the newest class of the Clark County Public Schools Hall of Fame was recognized, there was plenty to celebrate before GRC took on Central Hardin High School to open their 2024 season. 

Fortunately, there was just as much of a reason to celebrate postgame. 

The Cardinals (1-0) scored 17 points late in the first half and the final 31 points of the contest, en route to an impressive 38-6 win over the Bruins (0-1). 

“That’s a great win. Anytime you can get a win, it’s a good night,” said GRC Head Coach Joe Chirico. “I thought our kids played hard from start to finish. I’m proud of them.” 

GRC held the Bruins, who defeated the Cardinals by a 42-22 score in last year’s season opener, to under 150 yards of total offense. 

Their stout defense made its presence known on the opening possession. 

With the ball just past midfield, the Bruins attempted to pick up a first down on a fourth down, short-yardage play. 

However, a surge led by linebacker T.J. Hooten and defensive tackle Bryan Falls kept the ball from moving forward. 

It was one of two times in the game when the Cardinal defense—which also features players such as newcomers Stryker Davidson and Cole Rose—denied the Bruins on fourth-down and short-yardage conversion attempts. 

While the Cards moved the ball on their opening possession, they could not score after a field goal attempt was denied following a high snap. 

Yet after forcing a punt, it didn’t take the Cards long to find the endzone on the ensuing possession. 

The first play saw senior running back Zaydin Turner take the handoff and – with blockers out in front – take off 69 yards for a touchdown. 

With the extra point, GRC had its first score and lead of the season at 7-0 with 1 minute and 23 seconds remaining in the first quarter. 

However, the Bruins showed why they’ve been a playoff contender the last few years. 

After GRC failed to convert on a fourth down play of their own, Central Hardin scored when running back Caeden Taylor found the endzone on a 33-yard touchdown run. 

Yet the two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful, leaving the score at 7-6 with five minutes and 33 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

Late in the first half, it appeared the game would remain close. 

However, the Cards struck quickly and efficiently – with special teams playing the role of unsung heroes. 

After a Hayden Cockrell punt pinned the Bruins at their five-yard line, which was one of three times Cockrell would place Central Hardin’s offense inside its own 15-yard line, the Cards added to their lead when senior Sam Clements blocked a punt attempt out of the back of the endzone for a safety to give GRC a 9-6 lead at the 2:03 mark of the second quarter. 

A quick defensive stop gave the ball back to the Cards, who promptly made it count when quarterback J.D. Mastin – formerly of Nashville, Tennessee – found Trey Davis for a 22-yard touchdown pass. 

Afterward, Mastin rushed the ball into the endzone for a two-point conversion, giving the Cards a 17-6 advantage with 1:21 remaining before halftime. 

The Cardinal offense would be unlikely to see the football again before halftime. 

However, after their defense once again forced a three-and-out and the Cards used a timeout, a punt ensued, and the offense received the football again with little time left on the clock. 

Having to move the ball quickly, Mastin connected with freshman Athias Morris on a deep pass that was caught between two defenders. 

With time for one more play, the Cards’ decided to go for the endzone. 

The ball was handed off to Sam Clements, who lined up at running back. 

Clements, who played quarterback regularly last season, ran immediately to his left, where a swarm of defenders met him. 

Escaping them, he delivered his only pass of the game to receiver Kamden McAlpin – well-known to GRC sports fans for his baseball accomplishments – who stepped his way into the endzone as the horn sounded for a 20-yard touchdown reception and – with Cockrell’s extra-point – a 24-6 halftime lead. 

“It’s just being opportunistic…when plays arise, and you make them,” he said. “That’s what we’re supposed to do. That quick point turnaround helps.” 

In the second half, the Cards would continue with their momentum. 

Two more scores – a 1-yard touchdown run by Mastin late in the third quarter and a 5-yard touchdown run by Turner midway through the fourth quarter – helped put the game away. 

With the victory, the Cards end a five-game losing streak dating back to the 2023 season. 

The game was the second in the Clark County Hall of Fame Bowl, with Betsy Layne defeating Berea 47-7 earlier in the evening. 

After each game, Family Wealth Group presented an award for the game’s offensive and defensive Most Valuable Player. 

With 12 rushes for 47 yards and 4 receptions for 62 yards, Clements was named offensive MVP. 

“I’m just glad to go out there and do it,” Clements said. “We’ve worked so hard for this. I’ve got to give [credit] to my [offensive] line.” 

Daniel Kubican, who led a defense that accumulated five sacks, forced seven tackles for loss, and recovered a fumble, was named defensive MVP. 

“It was a team win for us. Everybody did their part,” he said. “Our coaches prepared us. From day one in the week, we knew, ‘This is game week. This is when we turn it up.’” 

In other statistical news for the Cards, Mastin completed 8 of 13 pass attempts for 150 yards and a touchdown, while Turner finished with five carries for 96 yards – a 19.2-yard average – and two touchdowns. 

Central Hardin’s Caleb Irwin completed 3 of 6 passes for 56 yards, while the Bruins ran the ball 37 times for 79 yards. 

The Cards (1-0) continue their season on Friday, August 30t at 8:30 p.m. in Pike County, when they face the Belfry Pirates (1-0).