Shannon Hutchinson, Sports Writer
Monticello — The Wayne County Cardinals met Garrard County last Friday night, at
Dyehouse Stadium, in the district opener for both teams. The Cardinals
entered with a 0-4 record and were coming off a 50-34 loss at Russell
County, one week earlier. The Golden Lions were coming off an open week and
owned a 1-3 mark. The contest marked the 19th meeting between the two
schools, as the series was knotted at 9-9 after Wayne County claimed a 33-12
win at Jewell Field in 2008.
Garrard County totaled 37 plays for 186 yards in the first half and
built an early 14-0 lead, en route to holding on for a 21-14 win. The Golden
Lions managed just one first down in the second half and totaled only 15
yards on 18 plays in the final half, but Wayne County mistakes allowed the
hosts to improve to 2-3 on the season.
"I thought after their early drive to start the game, we played very
hard and gave a good effort. This was another game that some of the little
things just piled up and cost us. We put the ball on the ground way too much
and two botched punts were like two more turnovers, so it's hard to win with
those kinds of mistakes. Our kids keep fighting each week, so I'm proud of
that, but we have to find a way to put it all together," said Cards head
coach Shawn Thompson.
The Cards had costly fumbles at the Garrard County 6 and 26 yardline,
plus set up Garrard's final score after a failed punt attempt was stopped on
the Wayne County 4 yardline.
"We're in great shape to score two more times in the first half and deep
in their territory, so that's very disappointing. We also struggled in the
punt game and basically gave them another touchdown, so just too many things
to overcome," said Thompson.
The Golden Lions finished with 201 yards and 11 first downs, with 188
yards coming on the ground. Senior running back Fred Hayes paced the winners
with 92 rushing yards on 12 attempts, while senior back Tyler Ray was held
to just 50 yards, on 13 carries.
"Defensively I thought we showed some improvement. We did a better job
of tackling and Hayes had a big first half, but we really contained him in
the second half. Ray was a major concern, so to hold him to 50 yards, I'll
take that," said Thompson.
Wayne County, which dropped to 0-5 overall and 0-1 in district play,
totaled 57 plays for 251 yards and 13 first downs, led by senior running
back D.J. Hall. Hall tallied a game high 159 rushing yards, on 22 attempts
and added a touchdown run of 3 yards.
Zack Stephenson added 59 rushing yards on 20 attempts, plus battled
through the wet conditions to complete 4 of 8 passes for 25 yards.
"We had more yards, more first downs and controlled the clock in the
second half, but just didn't make enough plays to win the game. It's very
frustrating because these are the games we've found a way to win in the
past," said Thompson.
The Golden Lions opened the game with the football and used 11 plays,
all on the ground, to march 64 yards, as freshman quarterback Billy Abney
scored on a 4 yard run. Will Demarcus booted the extra-point to give the
hosts a 7-0 lead with 8:03 left in the first quarter.
After a Cardinal fumble at the Garrard County 26 yardline, the Lions
used some trickery to add to their advantage.
Garrard County used 15 plays to drive to the 9 yardline and appeared
ready to kick a field goal, but instead opted for a fake, which resulted in
a Will Demarcus 9 yard touchdown run. Demarcus added the point-after to push
the score to 14-0, with 11:55 left in the first half.
The Cards responded with an 8 play, 60 yard drive, capped off by a Zack
Stephenson 21 yard touchdown run. D.J. Hall added the 2 point conversion run
to close the gap to 14-8, with 6:19 left in the second period.
The Golden Lions only turnover of the night, a fumble on their next
possession gave Wayne County an opportunity to take the lead before
intermission.
The Cards used D.J. Hall runs of 21, 16, 4 and 9 yards, plus two other
running plays to move the ball inside the home team's 6 yard line, with a
first and goal situation. Wayne County committed their second turnover of
the night, on another fumble, as Garrard County dodged a major bullet.
"We had the momentum and a really nice drive to have a chance to battle
back and take the lead, but once again a little miscue and we shoot
ourselves in the foot. It sounds like a broken record, but it's the small
fundamental things that keep haunting us," said Thompson.
Garrard County was able to run out the clock, with the inexcusable error
of a bonus fifth down, to own a 14-8 halftime lead.
"That hurt before the half. We stopped them on fourth down and still had
a chance and some time to possibly score, but due to an official's mistake
they were awarded an extra down, which allowed them to run out the clock,"
said Thompson.
The third quarter was a defensive slugfest, as each team totaled just
one first down, as the Cards managed just 21 yards and held Garrard County
to 13 yards. The score remained 14-8, after three quarters of play.
Wayne County's second botched punt attempt in the half set up Garrard's
final score of the night. The Cards failed to get the punt in the air and
turned the ball over on their own 4 yardline.
The Golden Lions used 2 plays to move 4 yards and score on a Cory Wilson
1 yard touchdown plunge. The extra-point pushed the hosts' lead to 21-8,
with 8:24 left in the ball game.
The Cards battled back with an impressive scoring drive of their own,
less than 3 minutes later. The squad stayed on the ground for all 6 plays
and used 22 penalty yards, to score on a D.J. Hall 3 yard touchdown run. The
conversion pass failed, leaving the Garrard County edge at 21-14, with 5:28
left in the fourth period.
After the Wayne County defense forced a quick 3 and out and a punt, the
Cards had a chance to claim the win.
Hall runs of 5, 11, 2 and 19 yards, plus Stephenson runs of 1, 4, 3 and
2 yards mixed with pass completions of 6 and 5 yards moved the ball to the
Garrard 18 yardline with :32 left in regulation.
Three incompletions left the local squad with a fourth down and 10
situation. Wayne County had a chance as Eric Rhule connected with Zack
Stephenson on a halfback throwback pass, but poor field conditions and an
attempt to cutback wasn't to be as the play stopped at the hosts' 10
yardline.
Garrard County was able to take a knee and claim the 21-14 win, which
improved the Golden Lions to 10-9 in the all-time series.
"We kept fighting and certainly had our chances. We didn't quit and the
kids can't hang their heads. We just have to keep working and eliminate some
of our costly mistakes," said Thompson.
A review of the defensive stats shows Wayne County had their best
defensive stat game of the season. Senior linebacker Tyler Pace finished
with a career high 14 tackles, while the defense allowed a season low 201
yards, plus allowed a season low 21 points.
"This was our district opener and we still have five games left, so this
season is a long way from being over. We have to keep our focus and make
sure we keep giving effort every day in practice. We can still do some good
things this season," said Thompson.
Up next for the Cards is a fourth straight road game at district foe
Casey County. The rebels are 2-4 and coming off a 60-9 home loss to
undefeated Somerset. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday night at Rebel
Field.