Golden Lions Roar to Victory: Garrard County Dominates West Jessamine 35-7
Malachi Simmons finished the night with more than 100 yards and three touchdowns, underscoring his pivotal role in the team’s success
In a rain-drenched high school football matchup, the Garrard County Golden Lions claimed a dominant 35-7 victory over the West Jessamine Colts at home on Friday night, showcasing a blend of strategic play-calling, offensive firepower, and stout defense.
The game opened with Garrard County setting the tone early, scoring on their first drive and establishing control that they would never relinquish.
West Jessamine kicked off with a ground attempt, fielded by Garrard County’s Malachi Simmons, who positioned his team on their own 37-yard line. Quarterback Justin Parsons wasted no time orchestrating the offense, leading a drive that featured key contributions from running backs Cam Peak and Simmons. The West Jessamine defense, led by Drew Hardin, attempted to slow the Golden Lions’ momentum, but it was clear early on that Garrard County’s offensive line was in control.
The Pride Attacks: Garrard County’s defense suffocated the colts on Friday night holding them to only 7 points.
After a methodical march downfield, Garrard County faced a third-and-long situation but responded with a breakout run by Simmons, who took the ball all the way to the end zone. Kicker Zak Dailey’s extra point put the Golden Lions up 7-0. When West Jessamine took the field, their offense, led by quarterback Gabriel Smith, struggled to find rhythm against Garrard County’s stout defense. As the first quarter ended, the Colts faced a crucial fourth-and-five at midfield, but deferred the decision to the second quarter, trailing by a touchdown.
The second quarter saw Garrard County extend their lead with two more touchdowns, underscoring their dominance. The Golden Lions' defense continued to shut down the Colts, while the offense methodically ground down the field. Simmons again proved instrumental, finding the end zone twice more, with the offensive line providing critical blocks to keep the chains moving. Although Dailey missed an extra point after one touchdown, the Golden Lions were comfortably ahead 20-0.
West Jessamine’s offense faltered again in the second quarter, unable to penetrate Garrard County’s defensive line, which was anchored by standout performances from Trenton Ison and Mason Agee. Despite trying to establish a ground game, the Colts were consistently met with strong resistance. With the clock winding down, Garrard County’s defense forced a punt, sending the teams into halftime with the Golden Lions firmly in control.
As the game transitioned into the third quarter, Garrard County showed no signs of slowing down. Their defense continued to stifle the Colts, with key stops on fourth down keeping West Jessamine out of scoring range. On the offensive side, the Golden Lions continued to shine. Running back Cam Peak electrified the crowd with a 61-yard touchdown run on their first possession of the half, followed by a successful two-point conversion by Simmons to extend the lead to 28-0.
The Golden Lions recover an onside kick in the third quarter.
The Lions would then recover a precicely placed onside kick from Dailey and in the following moments, Parsons connected with Jaghyr Wood for another touchdown, pushing the score to 35-0 and effectively sealing the victory.
Throughout the third quarter, West Jessamine struggled to mount a comeback. Although they moved the ball at times, the Garrard County defense consistently clamped down when it mattered most. Freshman players like Keelan Haun saw playing time, showcasing the depth and future potential of the Golden Lions.
The final quarter began with Garrard County holding a commanding 35-0 lead. Although West Jessamine managed to break through late in the game with a 41-yard touchdown pass from Smith to Chase Satterwhite, Garrard County’s defense remained impenetrable for the remainder of the game. Players like Ison and Agee continued to disrupt the Colts' offense, ensuring that the outcome was never in doubt.
As the clock wound down, Garrard County’s student section rushed the field in celebration of their team’s impressive victory. The win improved their record to 4-2, positioning them well as they enter district play. Malachi Simmons finished the night with more than 100 yards and three touchdowns, underscoring his pivotal role in the team’s success.
With momentum on their side and community support behind them, the Golden Lions look to build on their strong performance as they prepare for their next challenge against Casey County. The win over West Jessamine not only boosted the team's confidence but also affirmed their potential for a successful season ahead.
