GRC finished the regular season with a 40-0 thrashing of Bourbon County, giving the Cardinals high hopes heading into their state tournament opener against the Cooper Jaguars.

The clash between the 7-3 Cardinals and 4-6 Jaguars started with a three & out by the GRC offense.

Cooper’s opening drive found the end zone for their first lead.

Will Henry’s pass would be intercepted and ran back for a pick-six on the second GRC drive.

After the Cards found themselves down 14 early, GRC would kick it into high-gear and retaliated on Azzy Israel’s 14 yard rushing touchdown.

The Cards trailed 14-6 at halftime.

The third quarter started with a bang.

A deep pass by the Jaguar quarterback would take an unlucky deflection of the Cardinal defender’s helmet and into the Cooper receiver’s hands, resulting in a 21-6 lead.

GRC marched down the field and cut the lead back down to eight points, thanks to two big runs by Israel, totaling 49 yards.

Cooper kept up the barrage with a 41 yard pass and catch on their next drive.

On GRC’s next drive, Henry’s pass would find the hands of a Cooper defender, giving the Jaguars great position to strike again.

The Cards’ miscues continued on the kickoff, as a fumble recovered by Cooper set up the visitors with another easy score.

Cooper took a 42-13 lead into the final quarter.

Cooper struck again early in the fourth, but a 78 yard carry by Israel set the Cards up with a score of their own – Israel’s third of the night.

The final score of the night was 48-21.

GRC finishes with a successful season, despite the loss.

The Cards earned the best record since 2009, the first time hosting a playoff game since 2014, and the top regular-season rusher in 6A.

In two seasons, Coach Lucas has coached a team that won one game in two seasons to new heights. Through his first two seasons, Lucas holds a 12-10 record.