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On Thursday night, the George Rogers Clark Cardinals football team participated in the only Class 6A playoff matchup of the evening.

Playing the Tates Creek Commodores, they hoped for a different outcome than last season’s narrow one-point defeat.

Unfortunately, that did not transpire.

Despite hanging tough in the first half to the tune of a one-point halftime lead, the Cards (4-7) fell 34-9 to the Commodores (8-3) in a game that took place at Bryan Station High School due to a technical issue with would-be host Tates Creek.

“I thought our kids played hard. Give Tates Creek credit. They made a few more plays in the end”, said GRC head football coach Joe Chirico.

Despite entering the contest on a four-game losing streak, having competed against teams with a combined 25-14 record as of Friday afternoon, the Cards showed no signs of intimidation.

They kept the Commodores out of the endzone early on and were able to move the ball inside the opponent’s 20-yard line on one occasion – though without scoring.

With just over two minutes remaining in the second quarter, the Commodores scored first when QB Andrew Witherington connected with wide receiver Luke Cooper on a 70-yard TD pass.

However, a missed two-point conversion attempt left the score 6-0.

The Cards quickly took advantage, connecting on a 52-yard TD pass from Sam Clements to Carter Maynard that – with the successful extra point – gave them a 7-6 halftime lead.

“It was well-executed [and] just a perfectly thrown ball, great catch, and run after the catch,” Chirico added. “The [offensive] line was really good.”

After the Commodores received the ball to open the second half, they could not come through with a score and were forced to punt.

However, they received the ball in Cardinal territory following a turnover off a botched snap.

Quickly taking advantage, Witherington ran in for a two-yard touchdown, and – following a two-point conversion – the Commodores led 14-7 with 8:20 remaining in the third quarter.

They would score once more in the third period on a three-yard touchdown run by Marquevion Smith for a 20-7 lead after the third quarter.

The Cards then looked to narrow their deficit to one possession on the ensuing drive.

However, following an interception, the Commodores would add to their lead following a 1-yard touchdown run by Smith early in the fourth quarter.

They would complete their scoring on a 24-yard touchdown pass from Witherington to Cooper.

GRC added the final points of the evening after linebacker Hayden Heath tackled a running back in the endzone for a two-point safety.

Tates Creek head coach Jonathan Hawks spoke following the game.

“The one world we stuck with today was perseverance. All of our kids stood together and knew that we had to persevere [in] the second half”, he said. “I knew that [coach Chirico] was going to have his guys ready to play and our kids knew that this wasn’t going to be an easy first-round game,” Hawks said

With the defeat, seniors including Heath, Maynard, linemen Hunter Gulley, Ashton Tackett, and Brian Crawford, defensive back Quentin Falls, linebacker Ty Miller, kicker/punter Clay Turley, and wide receiver Darius Ridley played their last game in a Cardinal uniform.

“[They’re] hardworking, great kids,” Chirico said. “I enjoyed being around [them].”

Slated to return next year are a bevy of players, including quarterback Sam Clements, freshman receivers Haddon Cecil and Trey Davis, receiver Yeremiah Israel, receiver/defensive back Mahni John, offensive linemen Kash White and Keenan Ogle, linebackers TJ Hooten and Jones Howard, defensive linemen Adryan Alfaro and Bryan Falls, defensive back Santi Guerrant, and more.

While mentioning that he looks forward to what the offseason has in store, coach Chirico also offered perspective in the aftermath of Thursday’s loss.

“The sun will come up tomorrow. You’ve got to be ready to face the day and hold your head high”, he said. “You played hard [and] you fought valiantly.”