Cardiac Cards win following improbable comeback

Through three quarters, the George Rogers Clark Cardinals football team looked like it was on its way to its first defeat of the season in Game 2 of the Pike County Bowl on Friday, August 30.

However, as has been said, great times are great when they have to be.

Riding the momentum of a 22-0 fourth quarter, the Cards (2-0) overcame a two-touchdown deficit and defeated Belfry (1-1) on the road 43-35.

The final play featured a 105-yard interception return by senior defensive back Mahni John.

The game started inauspiciously for the Cards – who held Central Hardin to less than 140 yards of total offense the week before – when the Pirates’ Jeremiah Austin ran for a 60-yard touchdown on the game’s initial play for an early 7-0 Belfry lead.

GRC went down the field to tie the game, as senior quarterback J.D. Mastin connected with John – a two-way player – on a 42-yard touchdown pass.

However, Belfry’s offense – punctuated by an aggressive rushing attack – eventually built a 21-7 lead via touchdown runs from J. B. Woolum and Ace Caudill.

While another touchdown pass by Mastin – this one a 28-yard reception by sophomore Athias Morris – narrowed the gap to seven, GRC looked destined to enter halftime down 14 when a 10-yard touchdown run by Woolum gave the Pirates a 28-14 lead with just 39 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

Yet, for the second consecutive week, a big play by the Cards’ offense proved crucial.

Mastin connected with senior receiver Kamden McAlpin for 48 yards to give GRC a first-and-goal, and the team finished with a 3-yard touchdown run from Mastin with only three seconds left before halftime to go into the locker room down 28-21.

Although Belfry added seven more points on a three-yard touchdown run by Dante Davis, the Cards’ defense and special teams started to assert themselves thereafter.

To begin the fourth quarter, a punt by senior Hayden Cockrell pinned the Pirates’ offense back at the 1-yard line.

Defensively, the team came alive when junior lineman Adryan Alfaro contacted the running back in the backfield, with senior linebackers Daniel Kubican and Najee Harris tackling the player for a safety, two Cardinal points, and guaranteeing return of the football.

It was the second time the Cards forced a safety in as many weeks.

On the first offensive play following the kickoff, eventual game MVP senior running back Zaydin Turner broke through the defense and carried the ball 45 yards down to the 1-yard line.

Mastin would eventually get into the endzone with a QB sneak, lowering the deficit to 35-30 with still 9:22 remaining before halftime.

After the Cards’ defense forced a punt, special teams once again came up huge—with pressure from sophomore Trey Davis leading to a short punt.

GRC received the ball, but Belfry’s defense was just as committed to providing a stop.

On fourth down, Mastin ran forward and stretched out the ball, attempting to get a first down.

Following a measurement, it was determined – by mere centimeters – that he had converted near the 20-yard line.

Immediately afterward, Mastin put the Cards up for the first time with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Turner with just under five minutes remaining.

An extra point by Cockrell made the score 37-35.

However, in this up-and-down matchup, the Pirates threatened to score once more as they drove to the Cards’ 17-yard line.

On third down with just seconds to go, Belfry threw for the end zone – only for the pass to be intercepted by John, who ran across the field and up the sideline nearest to GRC’s bench for a touchdown and 43-35 final score as time expired.

Showing their appreciation and enthusiasm, John was not the only one to celebrate in the endzone – as others joined in the come-from-behind victory.

Statistically, while Mastin completed 13 of 22 passes for 223 yards and three touchdowns, Turner was the team’s leading rusher with 15 carries for 120 yards and one touchdown reception.

Mastin also ran for two scores.

The team’s leading receiver – McAlpin – caught four passes for 83 yards.

The Cards (2-0) will be back in action on Friday night as they take on Pulaski County (1-1) in Versailles.

Last season’s matchup resulted in a 30-7 GRC victory.

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