Garrard County to Host Harrison County in Regular Season Finale with Eyes on Playoff Momentum
Garrard County will conclude its 2024 regular season with a home game against Harrison County on Friday night. This matchup, marking the fourth meeting between the two programs, holds significant value for the Golden Lions as they aim to extend their home winning streak to five games and carry momentum into the postseason. While Friday’s game won’t be the last on home turf, it will be Senior Night — an occasion historically marked by both triumphs and challenges for Garrard County.
The Golden Lions have earned a home playoff game by finishing as district runner-up, a distinction they’ve achieved for the 13th time in school history and for the second consecutive year. Their Nov. 8 postseason matchup will feature Elizabethtown in the opening round of the playoffs. For Garrard County, hosting a playoff game in back-to-back years is a rare feat, last accomplished in 2013-14, signaling a positive trajectory for the program.
On Senior Night, however, the Lions have faced mixed fortunes over the years, with an all-time record of 25-35 in these games. Yet, there have been defining moments, including their first senior night win in 1971 against Mercer County. Defensive highlights fueled that 21-6 victory, with Dicky Arnold scoring on a 42-yard interception return and Allen Blakeman adding a 27-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown. Another breakthrough came in 1986, when the Lions snapped an eight-game Senior Night losing streak, rallying to defeat Wayne County 26-13 behind Doug Simpson’s late-game heroics.
One of Garrard’s most memorable senior night victories came in 2009 in a high-stakes game against Casey County. A win in that game secured a home playoff berth, while a loss would have ended their postseason hopes. Trailing in the fourth quarter, Tyler Ray hauled in a crucial touchdown pass, and Garrett Caudill added a rushing score to give the Lions a narrow lead. The defense then held strong, stopping Casey County’s two-point conversion attempt with ten seconds left, sealing a 28-26 win and a playoff spot.
In their limited history against Harrison County, Garrard County has managed only one win, which came in the series opener in 2003. That game was marked by dramatic elements, including a three-hour lightning delay. Garrard County, led by Spencer Crutchfield’s 98 rushing yards and 140 passing yards, overcame the disruption to secure a 33-7 road victory after holding a slim 13-7 lead at halftime.
Harrison County, founded in 1950 from the consolidation of smaller schools that did not have football programs, has only played Garrard County three times, including the upcoming matchup. Cynthiana High, which merged with Harrison County in 1962, had limited football encounters with Lancaster High, Garrard’s predecessor. The most notable of these early contests came in 1922 when Cynthiana defeated an undefeated Lancaster team 20-3 in an unofficial Central Kentucky Conference (CKC) championship game. Lancaster finished that season with a 10-1 record. In their only other encounter in 1934, Lancaster won 21-7 behind three rushing touchdowns from Waddell Murphy, capping off another impressive season at 9-1.
As the Golden Lions prepare for their final regular-season test, they aim to capitalize on their home-field advantage and extend their winning streak. A victory over Harrison County would position Garrard County well for its Nov. 8 playoff opener against Elizabethtown. With senior night providing an emotional backdrop, the Lions will look to add another chapter to their history of memorable performances, setting the tone for what they hope will be a successful postseason run.
(Historical information provided by Daniel Hopkins)