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In a regular season with a challenging schedule, the Cards (4-6) ended theirs with a Friday night matchup against undefeated Franklin County (10-0) in Winchester.

Though their team bus arrived late, it was the Flyers who soared to a quick start.

The Flyers scored on only their second offensive play and built on to their lead as the Cards fell 48-7.

“They’re a good football team and well-coached,” said GRC head coach Joe Chirico. “It’s a tough schedule. We learned that going in, and we’re growing from it.”

After winning the coin toss, the Cards deferred, allowing the Flyers to open the game with possession.

Although hopes were high to stop the high-flying Franklin County offense, a 59-yard touchdown pass from QB Duri Trahan to wide receiver Gavin Hurst – his only reception of the game – put the Cards down 7-0 less than one minute into the contest.

Trouble ensued for the Cards on their first offensive possession.

Though moving the ball past midfield, they were eventually forced into fourth down.

A blocked punt by the Flyers, followed by a 49-yard touchdown pass from Trahan to Jacob Taylor on a trick play – a reverse run turned flea flicker – gave Franklin County a 14-0 lead with 8:07 left in the opening quarter.

They would add to their lead on a 1-yard TD run from Christian Moore, though the Cards blocked an extra point to keep the score at 20-0.

Unfortunately for GRC, the Flyers weren’t done with trick plays.

A double pass resulted in Hurst completing a 61-yard touchdown pass to leading receiver Brennan Robinson – who got behind two Card defenders – for a 27-0 lead with 11:04 remaining before halftime.

“We had a couple trick plays that we wanted to put on film…and I feel like we did a good job of that”, said Franklin County head coach Eddie James. “We really wanted to have a good showing before we get into the playoffs.”

The Flyers would score once more in the first half on a 25-yard TD pass from Trahan to Robinson, though the Cards would respond strongly.

A long kickoff return by wide receiver and defensive back Mahni John placed GRC inside Franklin County’s 25-yard line.

Shortly after that, with 6:29 remaining in the 2nd quarter, QB Sam Clements connected with Ty Miller on a 22-yard TD pass to cut the deficit to 34-7.

Fittingly, on Senior Night, it was the first touchdown reception of the season for the homecoming king – who starts at linebacker for the Cards.

“Our team showed some resilience. As a fan watching, you may not see it, but we made some plays”, Chirico said. “We’re getting better. It just doesn’t show it on the scoreboard.”

James spoke similarly of GRC.

“I think that they’re on their way,” he said. “They were physical.”

Though the Cards would attempt to cut the deficit further, the Flyers added to their lead on the opening possession of the second half when Ty Taylor returned an interception 29 yards for a score.

A second third-quarter touchdown for the Flyers on a 3-yard plunge by Jayquan Crawford capped the scoring for the night, though the Cards moved the ball down to the Franklin County 3-yard line late in the fourth quarter before being stopped just shy of the endzone.

Speaking of his seniors, Chirico had high praise.

“I love them all,” Chirico said. “They’re great kids [and] great young men that I enjoy being around.”

With the regular season complete, the Cards will play Tates Creek on Thursday, Nov. 2, at 7:30 p.m. in Lexington.

It will be a rematch of last year’s first-round playoff matchup, which saw the Cards narrowly fall to the Commodores 20-19.

“[It’s] win or go home, so let’s get after it,” Chirico said.