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Cards host ranked Garrard County this Friday night The Wayne County Cardinals host Garrard County this Friday night at Jewell Field. The Cards are 4-2 on the season and coming off 31-0 win over Russell County in their district opener. Garrard County, ranked #10 team in last week’s Associated Press poll in Class 2A, enters with a 5-1 record and coming off a 42-14 district win at Casey County. The contest marks the 13th meeting between the two schools with the Golden Lions owning a 7-5 all-time series edge. Garrard County has won three straight in the series, including a 9-0 home decision in 2003. The Golden Lions, under the direction of fourth year head coach Steve Stonebraker, have won five straight games entering this week’s contest. The squad opened with losses to Danville and Harrison County (38-8), before knocking off Lincoln County (20-15), Bryan Station (33-7), Madison Southern (32-21), Mercer County (35-34) and Casey County (42-14) last week. The Danville game has since been ruled a forfeit, by the KHSAA, which leaves the Lions with an impressive 6-1 record. “Garrard County has a very good football team. Offensively they can beat you with the run or pass, and defensively they do a good job of disguising their fronts,” said Cards head coach Shawn Thompson. Garrard County, paced by senior quarterback Spencer Crutchfield, has averaged over 35 points per game over their last four games. Crutchfield, injured late last season, has returned in a big way. The senior stalwart has totaled over 1,200 yards rushing and passing with 10 touchdowns. “Crutchfield is the key to their offense. He can make the big play with the pass, or break open with the run, but he’s not their only weapon. They also have several athletic skill-people that know how to play,” said Thompson. Senior runningback Zach Doan rushed for a team best 77 yards, on just 7 attempts, in last week’s win over Casey County. Fellow senior Dan Learell also provides the offense with big-play capabilities from the receiver position. “Offensively Garrard spreads you out with four and five receiver sets. They spread the defense out and utilize the scrambling ability of Crutchfield. Zach Doan is also a very hard-nosed run, so our defense has to be at our best,” said Thompson. Wayne County’s defense is coming off their best effort of the season. The Cards shutout Russell County and forced five turnovers in the win last weekend and for the season are allowing a respectable 16.8 points per game. “We have to be focused on the details all week in practice and prepare for a very good team. Defensively we have to swarm the football and not let Garrard big-play us,” said Thompson. The Cards offense is tallying 30.3 points per game and netted 31 points last week, but the coach knows several areas need improvement. Wayne County rushed for a season low 157 yards against Russell County and committed 8 penalties for 72 yards. “I think we learned a lot last week against Russell County, which should help us in the future. Teams are going to key on Matt Goff, so we have to have guys ready to step up and make plays. Four different guys scored last week, so that’s a positive. We have to add some wrinkles to take some of the pressure off of Matt, plus we must clean up our mental mistakes,” said Thompson. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday night at Jewell Field. Add a comment |
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