LEXINGTON — The first steps in the new era for the George Rogers Clark High School football team weren’t the most surest footed. The Cardinals fell 35-0 during a scrimmage at the newly-minted Frederick Douglass High School in Lexington Friday night.

Still, despite the shutout loss marred by turnovers and an inability to contain Douglass quarterback Montaveon Bean, there was plenty to keep the Cardinals confident in their rebuilding effort.

“We learned a little bit about ourselves,” GRC coach Oliver Lucas said. “We’ve got to make some corrections in things we’re doing. I’m not disappointed about a 35-0 loss. This is a scrimmage. This doesn’t count against me. It doesn’t count against the kids. So we’re OK with it. What counts is next week.”

Lucas and the Cardinals have some decisions to make prior to next week’s start to the regular season when they take on Anderson County at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Four different players took snaps under center and more than a handful had carries in the backfield.

“We’re trying to look at the personnel and see who is a starter and who’s not,” Lucas said. “We’re trying to learn things about our kids.”

While GRC was held scoreless, the offense still appeared capable, moving the ball well at times but just never finding paydirt.

“There were some bright spots. There were some great things, and we moved down field,” Lucas said. “But when we got down there, we just didn’t stay disciplined and get it in the end zone.”

One drive ended with a missed field goal, another with a turnover on downs after a 4th-and-2 and a third when the Cardinals ran out of time.

Unfortunately, GRC was unable to get out of Lexington without some injuries, losing three members of its offensive line.

“The biggest thing for next week is I’ve got to get our offensive line together,” Lucas said. “We had a lot of injuries. Anytime you lose three like that, it’s special. But you don’t whine. You just prepare what you have.”

The Cardinals have a deeper roster than in the past two seasons, but three starters lost off the offensive line could mean a slow start for the offense in the regular season.

Much like last year, the Cardinals may need to lean on its defense in the early-going.

GRC will spend its week licking wounds and preparing for Anderson County. The Bearcats own a four-game winning streak over the Cardinals.

“We’ve got to learn from this and get ourselves ready for next week,” Lucas said.

After the home opener, GRC will be on the road for the next three weeks, facing Harrison County, Dunbar and Montgomery County before finally returning home to take on Grant County at Cardinal Stadium Sept. 15.