Tonight, Garrard County's Golden Lions travel to Liberty, to face off against the Casey County Rebels. Garrard County is eager to extend their current winning streak to four games, a milestone the team has not achieved since the 2015 season.

The Golden Lions hold a commanding 22-4 lead in the all-time series against Casey County, a rivalry that has been ongoing since the early 1970s. Last season, Garrard County emerged victorious with a 24-13 win over the Rebels, largely due to a strong performance from quarterback Justin Parsons, who threw for 215 yards and connected with Hayden Elleman for a touchdown. Additionally, running back Malachi Simmons found the end zone twice on the ground. As the two teams prepare for this year’s contest, Garrard County hopes to replicate the success they had in their previous meeting.

Historically, Garrard County has fared well when playing in Liberty, holding a 9-3 record in away games against Casey County. However, the Golden Lions have faced difficulties in their most recent trips to the Rebels' home field, having lost their last two appearances. Their last triumph in Liberty dates back to 2008, when they dominated with a 42-6 victory, a game in which Tyler Ray caught two touchdown passes.

Casey County High School, established in 1963, did not introduce football until a decade later. In 1973, just the second game in the program's history, the Rebels faced Garrard County for the first time. Garrard County quickly set the tone for the rivalry, overwhelming Casey County 44-6. In that game, Barry Graham threw touchdown passes to Darrell Spillman and Mike Duggins, while Robert Ray added a defensive score with a 20-yard fumble return. Since then, the rivalry has grown, with numerous matchups between the two teams, including frequent meetings as district opponents.

The upcoming game marks the start of three consecutive district contests for the Golden Lions. When competing in district play, Garrard County holds an 11-2 advantage over Casey County. One of their early district encounters occurred in 1975, when freshman Paul McPherson led the Golden Lions to a 24-0 victory, rushing for 143 yards and scoring two touchdowns.

As the Golden Lions seek to regain their winning form in Liberty and build on their current streak, Friday's game promises to be another chapter in the long-running rivalry between these two programs. Casey County will be eager to defend their home turf and break Garrard County’s dominance in the series, while the Golden Lions aim to extend their winning streak and solidify their district standing.

(Historical data provided by Daniel Hoskins)