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Entering Friday night’s second round playoff game of the KHSAA Class 6A playoffs, the George Rogers Clark Cardinals football team hoped to pull off what many would believe to be an upset. 

An early 14-0 lead offered such hope. 

However, it was not enough. 

The Frederick Douglass Broncos, who finished the last two seasons as state champions and state runner-up, staged a comeback and defeated the Cards 49-20 in Lexington. 

“[I’m] proud of my kids [and] proud of the way they fought,” said GRC Head Football Coach Joe Chirico. “They’re great kids. They work hard.” 

As mentioned, GRC entered the game as underdogs. 

However, an early 4th down stop defensively gave the Cards the football deep inside Frederick Douglass territory. 

They would not be deterred, as sophomore Trey Davis delivered the first score of the game on a 12-yard touchdown run. 

On the kickoff by Levi Ross, the Cards’ special team unit forced a fumble that was recovered by junior linebacker Stryker Davidson. 

Immediately thereafter, the Cards took an unexpected 14-0 lead when senior quarterback Sam Clements connected with fellow senior receiver Kamden McAlpin for a 32-yard touchdown strike. 

On an ensuing drive from the Broncos, the Cards’ defense would force another fourth down play. 

However, on 4th-and-1, running back Peyton Smith scored on a 15-yard touchdown run to narrow the Cards’ lead. 

Following a defensive stop of their own, Frederick Douglass tied the game on a 12-yard touchdown run by Derion Talbert with just under five minutes remaining before halftime. 

Unfortunately for the Cards, a scoring barrage then ensued. 

After Western Michigan University commit Aveion Chenault returned a punt 65 yards to give Frederick Douglass its first lead, the Broncos scored twice more in the first half’s final minute to build a 36-14 halftime lead. 

While the Cards fought back and scored on a 1-yard touchdown run by Davis, touchdowns in between on a 7-yard touchdown run by Broncos quarterback Jaxon Strautman and 61-yard touchdown pass from Strautman to Aveion Chenault doomed the Cards. 

For GRC, Davis finished as the leading rusher with 19 carries for 90 yards and two touchdowns, while Clements was 8 of 13 passing for 85 yards and one touchdown. 

With the loss, GRC ends its season at 5-7, advancing to the second round of the KHSAA Class 6A playoffs for the first time since 2019. 

Facing a challenging regular season schedule, victories for the Cards this year included a 27-15 road win over Madison Central – who saw their own season extended with a win on Friday – and a comeback road victory over Class 3A juggernaut Belfry. 

Coach Chirico recognized his senior class – which also included players such as Mahni John, Yeremiah Israel, Cody Gibson, Zaydin Turner, Daniel Kubican, Kash White, Hayden Cockrell, Jones Howard, and many more – for helping build success at GRC. 

“Four years ago, those seniors were [the] first group with me,” he said. “That togetherness is amazing. I appreciate them so much.”