Garrard County High School will host Middlesboro on Friday night in a critical game as part of the Garrard County Bowl, aiming for their first victory of the season after a narrow loss to Lincoln County last week. This game marks the fifth meeting between the two teams, with Middlesboro leading the series 4-0. The Yellowjackets edged out Garrard County in their most recent matchup last year, winning a closely contested game 14-13 that spanned two days due to severe weather.

In last year’s encounter, the Golden Lions showed resilience with standout performances from Hayden Elleman, who intercepted three passes, returning one for a touchdown, and Cam Peak, who contributed a rushing touchdown. Despite these efforts, Garrard County fell short, a trend that has continued in all four of their previous meetings against Middlesboro, including defeats in 2000, 2019, and 2022.

Middlesboro, under the experienced leadership of head coach Larry French, enters the game with confidence. French, in his sixth season with the Yellowjackets, is a seasoned veteran with 356 career wins, making him the third-winningest coach in Kentucky high school football history. His teams have consistently been formidable, and Garrard County is no stranger to facing his squads, having met his Mercer County and Lincoln County teams in past years with mixed results.

While Garrard County has yet to secure a win against Middlesboro, the broader football history in Lancaster shows the town is no stranger to victories over tough opponents. In a historical footnote, the Lancaster Green Devils defeated Middlesboro back in 1937, with a 6-0 victory led by standout player Jack Conn. Conn's heroics in that game, scoring the only touchdown, are still remembered in local lore, as he later went on to have a distinguished college career and serve in World War II

As Garrard County prepares to take on Middlesboro once again, the stakes are high. The Golden Lions are hungry for their first win of the season and to break the losing streak against the Yellowjackets. This game promises to be another intense chapter in their ongoing series, with Garrard County eager to finally claim victory on their home turf.

Historical information for this article was provided by Daniel Hopkins)