The George Rogers Clark Cardinals football team (2-1) headed to Somerset on Friday night for what many felt would be a tough battle against the Pulaski County Maroons (2-1). 

As it turned out, those making predictions were accurate. 

In a game that saw neither team punt and multiple lead changes, the Cards fell 35-24 to the Maroons for their first loss of the 2024 season. 

“[It’s a] good Pulaski County team,” said head coach Joe Chirico. “Playing [a] hard schedule is a good thing…that;s why we do this. Iron sharpens iron.” 

The Maroons received the football first and – following a 33-yard touchdown run by Kasen Brock – took an early 7-0 lead with 7:26 remaining in the opening quarter. 

Yet the Cards answered back. 

After quarterback J.D. Mastin connected with wide receiver Kamden McAlpin on fourth down, GRC finished its opening drive with a 10-yard touchdown run to help tie the game at 7-7. 

Both teams scored once more on a 21-yard touchdown pass from Pulaski County’s Zak Anderson to Harris Denmyer and a 31-yard touchdown run by the Cards’ Sam Clements. 

However, a 15-yard touchdown pass from Anderson to Boone Godby with less than one minute remaining in the first half gave the Maroons a 21-14 halftime lead. 

Although Pulaski County would gain early momentum in the second half when they stopped the Cards’ offense at the 1-yard line on 4th-and-goal, the Cards’ defense would soon bring it back in their favor. 

Linebacker Stryker Davidson intercepted a swing pass and returned it 4 yards to tie the game once more. 

The Cards would later force a fumble – recovered by McAlpin – and following a 23-yard field goal from Hayden Cockrell took a 24-21 lead after three quarters. 

“We love it when we make plays like that and [see] guys doing great things,” Chirico said. It’s really exciting and momentum turned our way a little bit.” 

Yet two Maroon scores – on a 5-yard touchdown run by Brock and 66-yard touchdown pass from Anderson to Denmyer with just over two minutes remaining – kept the Cards from a come-from-behind road victory as they had earned just one week earlier against Belfry. 

Statistically, Turner led the Cards in rushing with 71 yards on 11 carries, while Mastin completed 10 of 18 passes for 144 yards with two interceptions. 

GRC will return to action on Friday, September 13, with a 7:30 p.m. matchup against Henry Clay (0-3). 

The Cards defeated the Blue Devils 48-27 in last year’s matchup.