From the Bluegrasspreps' Western Kentucky Power Rankings:

1) Bowling Green (5A) – [2014 Record 11-2; District Record 4-0] Go ahead call me a homer! However, since 2010, BG is 55 and 2 with the two losses coming by a combined 8 points. That’s powerful! Most BG fans think BG let one slip last year (no disrespect to a memorable Graves County team – see below) and therefore, I think the hunger factor to book end this season with a second trip to WKU is very high!

 

After a record setting run, spanning four years, Bowling Green bowed out of the playoffs last year when many expected the record to continue and another State Championship. Is the unexpected loss bad news for the rest of 5A? Will Bowling Green Start the 2015 season on a mission with renewed focus?

Renewed focus - yes.

New Mission - no.

 

Coaches will not let them get emotional (not too high or too low). If QB Clark Payne can do what the coaches know he is capable of it can be another special year for BGHS. All teams have ups and downs. The Purples are ready to get on field.

 

I really think there are only three games where the QB and the Defense has to really step it up to get the win. 7 of their regular season games they can win by just handing the ball off to either Yates or Carruthers. Each of these young men would have over 1,000 yards rushing on 99% of teams in Bluegrass. If the coaches would allow it, they could both have 1,000 yards this year.

 

It will be fun to watch.

Bowling Green will always be strong, looking forward to the Central Hardin/ Bowling Green game on September 25th at Central Hardin. Tim Mattingly is in his 2nd year as head coach at Central and brings an edge to a team that is defensively always going to be strong with Mattingly at the helm, (look at his record at Meade County), and should give Bowling Green a run for their money.

Bowling Green will always be strong, looking forward to the Central Hardin/ Bowling Green game on September 25th at Central Hardin. Tim Mattingly is in his 2nd year as head coach at Central and brings an edge to a team that is defensively always going to be strong with Mattingly at the helm, (look at his record at Meade County), and should give Bowling Green a run for their money.

 

I know about St. X and Owensboro, but this Central Hardin team is the one no-one is talking about that concerns me as a cautious Purples fan.

Purple 88, Tim Mattingly is one of the few coaches in the state who will have a top 5 defense in Kentucky regardless of classification. If you look at the Meade County team over the last 10 years, they were always at or near the top in defense. They dont make many mistakes on either side of the ball and are sound fundamentally. They may not have the best athletes on the field but have the big lineman to run a wing T offense effectively. This year Xavier Arnette is thier fullback at 6'1'' 220, is a load to bring down.

Purple 88, Tim Mattingly is one of the few coaches in the state who will have a top 5 defense in Kentucky regardless of classification. If you look at the Meade County team over the last 10 years, they were always at or near the top in defense. They dont make many mistakes on either side of the ball and are sound fundamentally. They may not have the best athletes on the field but have the big lineman to run a wing T offense effectively. This year Xavier Arnette is thier fullback at 6'1'' 220, is a load to bring down.

 

Thanks for the update HCP! I can see them giving BG some problems. Load the box and ground & pound on offense. I'd like to go to this game. Maybe I'll see you there!

Sounds good, I am in no way saying Central Hardin is a power but is emerging as a soldier program under the current leadership. Recently won the 7on 7 tournamnet in Campbellsville and host another 7on7 this weekend.

I am first and foremost a football fan and have been following John Hardin also since 2007. The greatest football game that i have seen regardless of level was the 2012 semifinal between John and Bowling Green and the famous hook and ladder play. John thoroughly outplayed Bowling Green but got beat on an unbelievable play by a special group of players from Bowling Green that won 48 games in a row. John Hardin could not, for whatever reason, beat Bowling Green. One of Johns achilles heel has always been penalties, turnovers and being undisciplined. They have had the talent to overcome this during the regular season but always comes back to haunt them in the playoffs.

Sounds good, I am in no way saying Central Hardin is a power but is emerging as a soldier program under the current leadership. Recently won the 7on 7 tournamnet in Campbellsville and host another 7on7 this weekend.

 

You haven't implied that. I think Central Hardin is solid

I am first and foremost a football fan and have been following John Hardin also since 2007. The greatest football game that i have seen regardless of level was the 2012 semifinal between John and Bowling Green and the famous hook and ladder play. John thoroughly outplayed Bowling Green but got beat on an unbelievable play by a special group of players from Bowling Green that won 48 games in a row. John Hardin could not, for whatever reason, beat Bowling Green. One of Johns achilles heel has always been penalties, turnovers and being undisciplined. They have had the talent to overcome this during the regular season but always comes back to haunt them in the playoffs.

 

That is the best game I have been to as well. You are correct in all that you said. Most forget that Blake Pillow (BG Split Back) gave BG a chance by running down a JHardin interception that could have gone for a pick6, but he saved it and the rest is history.

The only beef i had with that game was that Matt Elam clearly scored on a 2 point conversion that the referree missed and for some reason said he didnt cross the goal line. That John interception i thought for sure would go for a TD and that was an amazing play to prevent a pick six.Wondering from your perspective why John Hardin could never get over the hump against Bowling Green?

The only beef i had with that game was that Matt Elam clearly scored on a 2 point conversion that the referree missed and for some reason said he didnt cross the goal line. That John interception i thought for sure would go for a TD and that was an amazing play to prevent a pick six.Wondering from your perspective why John Hardin could never get over the hump against Bowling Green?

 

I understand about the Elam 2pt attempt. I honestly couldn't tell from where I was sitting, but it did influence the game; I admit. I initially thought he was in, but just gave the refs the benefit of the doubt (of course that went my way so I was less inclined to be skeptical).

Concerning John Hardin getting over BG hump, that is difficult to pin point because JH had quality players (and coaches) all over the field (especially 2011 and clearly outplayed them in 2012 and made a courageous comeback/overtake in 2013), but to no avail. For me, I just think BG felt a "little" more comfortable in those situations because most of the leaders on those teams had been there and still won the games at the end, so they didn't panic or second guess anything. I always felt JH was 1 play away in both the 2012 and 2013 games from winning (Hell in 2012 I was ready to walk to the car - it was cold that night), but just couldn't make it happen. This might be the year to come to BG looking for something besides a meeting with the Purples.

I agree, not sure John practiced any trick plays for end of game situations like that.

The 2013 semi final in Bowling Green was a great comeback by John but they were unable to stop Bowling Green on that final drive. I beleive the fate of that game was sealed the week prior when Bullitt East targeted Elams knee and told other John Players towards the end of that game that even though their season was over, so was Elams.

Will be down there on August 22nd , for John VS South Warren at WKU, should be a great early season matchup.

I beleive the fate of that game was sealed the week prior when Bullitt East targeted Elams knee and told other John Players towards the end of that game that even though their season was over, so was Elams.

That is really terrible! I guess I am naive, but can't believe something like that would happen. It definitely affected the game in BG. The QB/Safety on that John team was outstanding that game. Gave everything he had.