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Looking at the schedule before the season, people who know high school football in Kentucky could easily deduce that the 2024 George Rogers Clark High School football season would be challenging. 

The last two weeks of the season proved to be just that. 

GRC lost consecutive football games to highly-ranked Frederick Douglass High School (6-4) and Franklin County (10-0) by respective scores of 35-0 and 52-17. 

In the first matchup – which is the home finale for the regular season – players on the Cardinals’ football team were recognized before the game for Senior Night. 

However, the Broncos took control and scored early and often. 

Quarterback Jaxon Strautman connected with wide receiver and Western Michigan University commit Aveion Chenault for a 27-yard touchdown pass less than four minutes into the contest, and again with Peyton Smith from 39 yards out with a two-point conversion run by Kaden Clay to give Frederick Douglass a 15-0 lead after one quarter. 

In the second period, Dakari Talbert added to the scoring for Douglass when he ran in for a 53-yard touchdown run, followed by Strautman rushing for a one-yard touchdown run with just over one minute remaining. 

With a 29-0 halftime lead, the Broncos scored with 8:18 remaining in the third period on a 9-yard touchdown run by Smith. 

Although a two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful, the score resulted in a running clock, and – with GRC’s offense held to precisely 100 yards – the team ultimately fell by a 35-0 score. 

The following week, in Frankfort, the Cards showed some strong early signs as they initially moved the football on their opening possession. 

However, momentum swung in the Flyers’ favor when Delano Collins intercepted a pass and returned it 48 yards for the score. 

Two more interceptions by the Flyers also netted points, as Christian Moore rushed for a 27-yard touchdown run on the ensuing play. Juice Robinson’s 30-yard interception return for a score put the Cards in a 21-0 deficit early in the opening quarter. 

Moore scored his second touchdown of the night later in the quarter for a 28-0 lead before GRC – aided by two long pass completions from Sam Clements to Kamden McAlpin made it a 28-7 game with less than 10 seconds remaining in the first period.

The Cards again showed signs of life when Braylon Nester – whose fumble return for a touchdown was key in their win against Madison Central earlier this year – picked up a loose ball forced by Daniel Kubican and returned it inside the Flyers’ 30-yard line. 

A 28-yard field goal by Hayden Cockrell made the score 28-10 in favor of the Flyers with 8:46 remaining in the second period.

However, Franklin County would build their lead to 38-10 before halftime on a 29-yard field goal by Easton Powell and a 33-yard touchdown pass from Knox Barrett to Robinson with only 6.2 seconds remaining. 

The Flyers then built a running clock of their own after a 44-yard touchdown run from Jack Oldham with 7:25 remaining in the third quarter. 

Scores from both teams – on a 27-yard touchdown pass from Barrett to Coen Taylor and a 27-yard touchdown pass from GRC QB J.D. Mastin to receiver Mahni John with only 5:32 remaining – accounted for the final 52-17 score. 

With the regular season now concluded, single-elimination playoffs will begin. 

The Cards (4-6) are scheduled to take on Lafayette High School (6-4) in Lexington on Friday, November 8, at 7:00 p.m. in a 2024 Class 6A first-round matchup. 

“We’re excited about being in the playoffs. We’re excited about the opportunity,” said GRC Head Coach Joe Chirico. “We just [have] to work hard the rest of the week and see what happens Friday.”