Written by Josh Moore for 10thRegion.com
Coming off its first playoff win since 2019, George Rogers Clark returns to the field this season with a seasoned core ready to build on that success.
The Cardinals’ 14-6 win at Lafayette last November was the program’s first road win in the postseason since 2006, as well as their first under head coach Joe Chirico, an eastern Kentucky transplant who starred for Marshall University.
Statistically, GRC doesn’t bring back much on offense — its top two rushers, passers and receivers all graduated — but a bevy of seniors and juniors waiting in the wings are more experienced than raw numbers show. Chirico’s eager for them to start writing their story.
That veteran presence is especially evident along the offensive and defensive lines, a “seasoned” group and perhaps the most physically mature one on the team. Across the board, Scotty Mitchell, Buddy Leaval, Colton Johns and Santi Guerrant are “guys who’ve been out there and worked hard,” Chirico says. Having that kind of experience should be steadying early on, and over the course of the season may continue to pay dividends in late-game moments.
In addition to being a first-team member of central Kentucky’s All-Name Team, Stryker Davidson led the team in tackles (96) and sacks (6) last year as a junior. “He fits that name,” Chirico said with a laugh. The Cards also bring back linebacker Cole Rose, their second leading tackler (82, 2 sacks) and an Eastern Kentucky commit. Trey Davis, a junior who’s started since his freshman season, is poised to make a leap, potentially on both sides of the ball; he’s the top returning rusher (196 yards, 2 TDs on 29 carries) and among the top returning receivers (124 yards, 1 TD on 9 catches).
“We’ve got a lot of guys that’ve played a lot of reps,” Chirico said. “Does that mean we’re gonna win games? No. But it means they’ve got experience. That’s exciting.”
Chirico, who’s in his fifth season guiding the program after nearly a decade at Paintsville High School, can see his philosophy beginning to manifest at GRC. He coached in eastern Kentucky for almost two decades before moving to Winchester, and it takes time to shift a culture — especially on the football field.
“Hard work pays off and getting kids accustomed to the way I coach and the way I go about the game — and I’m not saying I’m right — but that takes a little bit of time to get everyone to understand,” Chirico said. “No one really knew me here … so it took a few minutes to get folks acclimated to our staff.”
The results reflect that buy-in. Last season’s playoff win was a program-defining moment, sparking increased buy-in and offseason commitment. “Time off” in the weight room has been nearly non-existent, and increased strength will be crucial to navigating a tough schedule that kicks off at Scott County and features additional road games at veteran-heavy Montgomery County and a Henry Clay program expected to be much improved under new coach Philip Hawkins. That’s in addition to an always stacked district slate (Bryan Station, Frederick Douglass, Madison Central).
Class 6A is a different animal from any in Kentucky high school football. As GRC continues to solidify and strive for bigger stages come playoff time, it’ll have to remain focused on each incremental moment presented for it to get better.
“Hopefully we play hard,” Chirico said. “We’re looking forward to it.”
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