Garrard County Returns to Action with First-Ever Trip to Lewis County

After a week away from competition due to severe weather, Garrard County will resume its football season on the road against Lewis County. The Golden Lions, whose scheduled matchup with Middlesboro was canceled last week after lightning forced play to be called off, will make their first-ever trip to Vanceburg to face the Lewis County Lions.

The two schools have met only once before, in the first round of the 2013 Class 3A playoffs. That game saw Garrard County overcome a rocky start before taking firm control. After conceding a 61-yard touchdown pass on the opening play, the Golden Lions responded with 43 unanswered points to claim a 43-13 victory. Quarterback Slade Crutchfield led the charge, throwing for 250 yards and five touchdowns. The postseason win would mark the final game at Garrard County for then-head coach Mark Scenters, who left after the season to take over the program at Madison Central.

This year’s matchup carries historical significance for Garrard County’s schedule. With the Middlesboro game unlikely to be rescheduled, the Golden Lions will play just nine regular-season contests, something that has only happened three other times in program history. The first instance came in 1964, when the team played a nine-game slate while transitioning from the old Lancaster High School schedule. In 1990, lightning again interfered, canceling an early season contest at Washington County before halftime. More recently, the 2020 season was reduced to only four games due to widespread cancellations related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lewis County enters the contest as one of seven Kentucky schools that use “Lions” as their mascot, though the programs vary in their naming traditions. Garrard County is the state’s only “Golden Lions,” while Pineville uses “Mountain Lions,” and Lyon County identifies as the “Lyons.” Boyd County, Cordia, Elliott County, and Lewis County share the plain “Lions” designation. Among these, only Boyd County, Pineville, Garrard County, and Lewis County field football teams. Lancaster High, Garrard’s predecessor, twice met Pineville in the 1920s, losing both matchups. The 1926 loss helped Pineville secure the title of “Mountain Champions” before statewide playoff systems were established.

For Garrard County, Friday’s trip to Vanceburg represents both a rare meeting with a fellow “Lions” program and an opportunity to reestablish momentum after an unscheduled week of rest.

[HISTORICAL DATA PROVIDED BY DANIEL HOPKINS]