article 5A Notebook: (10/5): Can the Colonels complete the sweep?

In general the top tier Class 5A teams had a great week with all but one team in the top ten getting a win or an open week to rest up for the final stretch of the regular season. Owensboro was the only top ten team to lose last week and their loss was to a very good Christian County team. Owensboro however has been in a free fall since the loss to Bowling Green a few weeks ago. The Red Devils are clinging on to their top ten ranking by the skin of their teeth and this week versus Marshall County is a must win.

Covington Catholic has played another tough schedule this season and are coming off from a much deserved off week to help prepare for Bishop Chatard of Indianapolis, Indiana. Even with one of if not the toughest schedule in the class, the Colonels have outscored their opponents 253-49 heading into the Bishop Chatard game. That’s something to think about and I’m not sure anyone else in the class would even be undefeated against the Colonels schedule. Can the Colonels pull off the sweep against the Ohio and Indiana schools? We’ll have to wait and see.

After dropping two in a row to two top ten 6A teams Bowling Green looks to have things back on track. Since the loss to St. Xavier, the Purples have outscored their opponents 193-53. Bowling Green is coming off from a 49-13 win over Grayson County and while the Purples offense isn’t putting up the video game numbers that we’re used to, their defense is exceptional. This week the Purples get a week off to rest, then follow that up with a home game versus Barren County. Just prior to the game that everyone has been waiting for years to see, when South Warren visits for what will be the game that decides the district championship.

Christian County is this season’s only other undefeated Colonels, though there are still four undefeated teams left in the class. For most of the season, these Colonels have done just enough get a win when playing the better teams on their schedule. However last week’s 48-27 win at Owensboro show’s why Christian County has been firmly planted inside the top five this season. Quarterback Kolbe Langhi proved why he was a preseason candidate for Mr. Football in this win by completing 11 of his 14 passes for 141 yards. Even more impressive was Langhi’s 123 yards rushing that accounted for four touchdowns. This week Christian County takes on a 5-1 Apollo team that is sitting just outside the BGP top ten.

South Warren is the only other remaining unbeaten that is in the top ten. South Warren has been quite a surprise this season as most thought they would be a little down from last season as well as their 4A Championship season the year prior. Toss in the bump up to class 5A, as well as being placed in a tough district and some were thinking the Spartans would likely finish around .500 in the regular season. Well, that certainly isn’t going to happen and it’s not a stretch to say that the Spartans could actually finish the regular season undefeated. South Warren is coming off from a 42-11 win over Greenwood and quarterback Gavin Spurrier continues to impress. Spurrier completed 8 of his 12 passes in this game for 3 touchdowns. This week will be much tougher however as the Spartans travel to Brentwood, Tennessee to take on Ravenwood. Ravenwood has a very good team and will likely be South Warren’s toughest tests to date.

South Oldham and Fern Creek both picked up lopsided wins over lesser opponents to round out the top six teams in the class. Madison Southern had a week off but was bumped up in the rankings due to the fashion of the Owensboro loss to Christian County. Madison Southern has a tough test this week however as they take on another team just outside the top ten, the 5-1 Montgomery County Indians. Southwestern rebounded from their recent loss to Madison Southern with a solid win over 6A Central Hardin. Highlands moved up to number nine in the rankings in an open week, also due to the Owensboro loss. Highlands will have to take care of business versus Dixie Heights this week to keep that ranking though, as there are a handful of teams just outside of the top ten that could and should replace them if they lose at home.

Nice write up!

Ithink all of the state will take a peek at the score and game updates on the October 20 game with South Warren and BGHS. Admittedly, I thought before season began that the Purples would dominate the game. Not so sure now but am confident they will be more than eager to play this game (as will South Warren). It is what makes HS football so good. The calendar has been circled for many months now. Ready to see the game. Hoping South can win against the TN team - I would love for them to be undefeated when October 20 arrives. Will be a good one!