Remember that taste of defeat? Scott County certainly did! After last year’s controversial loss, the Cardinals delivered a spectacular 42-21 victory over Great Crossing, settling the score. You won’t believe the motivation that fueled this epic revenge win. What’s your favorite rivalry game moment?
The air at Birds Nest Stadium crackled with an intensity rarely seen in high school athletics, as the Scott County Cardinals, ranked 25th, prepared to face their cross-town rivals, the Great Crossing Warhawks. This wasn’t just another game; it was a deeply personal mission of redemption, a chance to erase the bitter memory of last season’s humiliating defeat and the audacious post-game celebrations that had stained Scott County’s new home field.
For twelve long months, the sting of that loss, amplified by the Warhawks’ on-field antics—celebrating well after the final whistle and even “planting the flag”—had fueled every practice, every drill, and every conversation for the Georgetown’s original high school squad. Head Coach Jim McKee aptly described it: “It’s kind of like we let them get to the adult table, and they just took all the food too. We should have won, we got beat. It was important that we did what we did tonight.”
From the opening kickoff of the KSR Game of the Week, the Cardinals showcased a renewed vigor and an undeniable purpose. They dictated the tempo, controlled the line of scrimmage, and executed with a precision born from unwavering motivation. The final score of 42-21 was a resounding declaration, leaving no doubt about the true dominant force in this passionate Kentucky football rivalry.
This year’s victory carried an extra layer of satisfaction for the Scott County Cardinals, who now extend their lead in the all-time series to a commanding 7-1. Coach McKee, a veteran of countless battles, acknowledged the unique weight of this particular revenge win. “Most years, I would say that what happens one year doesn’t carry to the next,” McKee stated postgame. “I would say this is an exception.”
Scott County’s ground game was a relentless force, systematically dismantling the Great Crossing defense. Junior running back Nick Ranson spearheaded the charge with an impressive 133 rushing yards and a touchdown. He was ably supported by contributions from junior Skyler Way (63 yards), junior Anderson Owens (53 yards), and junior Emongo (47 yards), culminating in a staggering 376 total rushing yards for the Cardinals compared to the Warhawks’ 195. This emphasis on handing off the ball proved decisive.
Though the Cardinals primarily focused on their potent run game, sophomore quarterback Charlie Ellison made his limited passing attempts count. Ellison completed only three passes on the night, but two of them were deep touchdown strikes to Anderson Owens, showcasing opportunistic aerial prowess. Adding to his impactful performance, Ellison also found the end zone twice on his own runs, while Emongo contributed another seven-yard trot for a score. The Cardinals’ efficiency extended to third downs, converting 9-of-13 opportunities, a stark contrast to Great Crossing’s 1-of-8.
The sentiment from the players echoed their coach’s resolve. “We knew we had to take care of business for the senior class last year. It was very disrespectful,” Emongo, a key contributor in this high school football clash, passionately expressed. “It was our first-ever home game (on the new field) at Scott County, they beat us pretty bad, and they stayed at our field for an hour and celebrated. But this year, we act like we’ve been here before. We never left, man. It’s Scott County football. It’s always going to be Scott County football in this town.”
The Great Crossing Warhawks valiantly attempted to keep pace in the first half, trading touchdowns and heading into halftime with a manageable 21-14 deficit. Junior quarterback Sam Penn ran in two touchdowns and senior running back Luke Ballard racked up 182 rushing yards and a score for the Warhawks. However, the second half saw Scott County dominate, shutting out Great Crossing 14-0 in the third quarter and effectively sealing their victory, leaving the Warhawks unable to mount a successful comeback.
After surrendering the title of Georgetown’s premier football team last season, the Scott County Cardinals have unequivocally “restored the order in the county,” as Coach McKee proudly declared. The anxious year-long wait for this rematch culminated in a performance that reaffirmed their long-standing legacy of winning football games and asserted their enduring dominance in this thrilling Kentucky football rivalry, setting a powerful tone for the remainder of their season.
