GRC entered Friday with a 6-2 record overall and an unblemished district record.

With the district title on the line, the Cardinals had high hopes for potentially their first district championship since 2009.

After GRC failed to score on the opening drive, Madison Central would march down the field and score the first touchdown of the night.

From there, both defenses took over, neither wanting to give an inch.

At the end of the first, GRC begin the makings of a successful drive.

The Cardinals continued to drive the ball down the field in the second quarter, but the possession came to an abrupt end by way of an interception in the end zone.

Madison Central would score two plays later through an 84-yard touchdown pass.

The Indians carried a 14-0 lead at the half.

Madison Central would take the opening drive of the second half down the field, with the possession culminating in a 30 yard touchdown run.

From there, GRC never managed to find to break the Indian defense, with the state’s leading rusher, Nitavius Thomas, consistently bottled up. It would be Thomas’ first game since the opening week without a rushing touchdown.

The Cardinals finally broke through early in the fourth quarter, as Jordan Manley completed a pass in the end zone to make the score 24-7.

Madison Central quickly put away any thought of a Cardinal comeback, as a long rush by the Indian quarterback put the score at 31-7, where the score would remain.

GRC falls to 6-3 on the season, and will face Bourbon County next week on Senior Night.

With the loss, GRC is still guaranteed to host the opening round of the playoffs, where they’ll meet the Cooper Jaguars.