Garrard County will conclude the regular season Friday night with a trip to Sower Field to face the Frankfort Panthers. The Golden Lions enter the game with a record of 4-5 while Frankfort sports a sterling 8-1 mark. Garrard will open the Class 3A playoffs next week at Breathitt County while Frankfort has earned home field throught the Class 1A playoffs, beginning next Friday with Dayton.

 

Garrard County and Frankfort will be meeting for the 16th time. The Panthers have eased back ahead in the series 8-7 by virtue of winning the last two seasons. Frankfort has a 5-3 all-time series lead at Sower Field.

 

Throughout history this has been a series of streaks. Frankfort beat Garrard in the first matchup in 1966, winning the district title. Garrard then beat Frankfort in 1967 to win their first district title. Frankfort won the next five meetings (1968, 1987-90), before Garrard County ran off a streak of six straight wins from 1991-96. The last two meetings haven't been close, with Frankfort averaging a 36-3 win. Garrard last finished a regular season at Frankfort forty years ago, with the Panthers garnering a 32-0 victory.

 

This years Golden Lions are averaging 36 points per game, while allowing 32. They have scored 324 points this season, which is good for 10th place on the school's all-time list. The 288 points allowed, however, ranks them sixth on the all-time list.

 

Garrard County is averaging 371 yards per game (230 rushing/141 passing). The leading rusher is Jamarious Merritt with 572 yards, although he has been slowed over the last three weeks by injury. Fred Hayes is second with 563 yards, followed by Jansen Penman with 387 and Tyler Ray with 310.

 

Quarterback Cash Staley has thrown for 1,270 yards and 18 touchdowns this season, to go with 10 interceptions. More than half of those yards have went to Ray, who has 694 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns. The second leading receiver is Zach Hounshell with 386 yards and 6 touchdowns.

 

Garrard County, looking for their first win at Frankfort since 1996, will have their hands full with the Class 1A #3 ranked Panthers. Hopefully the Lions will continue the positives from last week's win into this week and when it's over will be well prepared for next week's trip to Breathitt County.

I'd like to see the Lions keep it close, but fear they won't. Frankfort should win this game with ease.

If Garrards offense can get off to another fast start this game could be very interesting. The defense all through the season has seemed to come up with a turnover, it just never seems to turn into points. I favor the Lions in a close game. 28-21 Garrard wins.

If Danville couldn't beat them, I sure don't see Garrard County doing it. I'll take Frankfort, 42 - 7.

As for someone who has coached and played in this series, it has always been a hard hitting contest.

 

Garrad County has a pretty solid team. They have size and speed.

 

As for Frankfort they have to get better at blocking and tackling if they are going to have a chance to advance in the playoffs.

Frankfort will put the younger guys in at half... Panthers win Big!!!

I don't know about putting the young guys in at half-time. I'll take:

 

Frankfort 39

Garrard Co. 18

Frankfort 42-14.

Frankfort as bad as they want. I will say 63- 7.

SHOOTOUT!!!!! I heard GC has been getting the A-11 ready for the playoffs...

I'm going to say FHS 42 Garradd Co. 28.

Edited November 5, 200817 yr by Ram
Rule 13

Frankfort must FORCE their oppenents to Tap out when they get a lead of 21 or more...This did not happen last week versus Danville....With a Menacing Defense, and an Oppertunistic offense, the Panthers need to improve their special teams in order make another run for the Pizza Box......The Panthers will win this one by 3 scores....

Frankfort 42-7

Frankfort as bad as they want. I will say 63- 7.

 

People have said this all year. Garrard is finally putting offense and defense together , and thats dangerous for ANY team they will face. Garrards speed will be able to keep the corners closed on the panthers. This will be alot better game than this.

42-14 Frankfort