A few offensive numbers to look at. If these numbers are not exact, they are very close. Pulled them off of KHSAA

 

Through 8 games:

 

Rushing Yards: Bowling Green 850 yards / South Warren 1,000 yards

 

Passing:

Purples: BuCANNON 99-158 (62.6%) 1,331 yards / 0 INT's / 20 TDs / 1 Rush TD

Spartans: Spurrier 94 - 154 (61%) 1,495 YARDS / 5 INT's / 17 TDs / 2 Rush TD

 

Purples Opponents have won total of 24 games

Spartans Opponents have won total of 22 games

 

Purples averaging 41 points per game ( giving up 15)

Spartans averaging 37 points per game (giving up 11)

bg by 90

I feel like some will be surprised with the outcome of this one. The Purples are good, no doubt about that, they have won the games that that they were supposed to win by a large margin in points, but something is missing this season. The Purples offense isn't producing the crazy video game numbers that it has in the recent past. If the Spartans can limit their penalties, I really believe they will pull off the upset.

 

That said, with this being the first game of what will likely be a long term rivalry, I hope it goes to as many overtimes as possible. I wish I was in that part of the state because it should be one of the most entertaining games in what I consider "rivalry week" for Kentucky high school football.

 

Just wanted to chime in on this bolded piece! In the pre-season from a Purples perspective, we focused on the fact that the 2017 Purples "couldn't" possibly be expected to produce, especially offensively like the 2016 Purples. When you take off of a team the likes of:

- All State WR Deanglo Wilson

- Top 5 ALL TIME KHSAA %Completion Leader QB Clark Payne

- Mr. Football - RB Jamale Carothers

 

All 3 who played together since they were little kids. Think of that chemistry. I didn't even mention DLine Dalen Cofer the 2015 State Championship Player of the Game and multiple other contributors.

 

I'm not crying, I just want to point out that sometimes when you "reload", it takes a minute before the bullet gets in the barrel. :lol2:

 

But to be fair to South, they lost some program changing players as well, including QB Ryder Litton, CJ Hayes (he could play any position), and RB Kayron Namvong.

 

Long story short, I'm saying don't discount BG because they aren't the video machine of last season. Both these teams know what is at stake. Both are VERY well coached and unless significant turnovers are involved, I look for a very close game.

 

Purple88 Keys to the Game:

 

BG:

1. Use the width of the field. South has speed but you have more.

2. Double/Triple/Whatever Jacob Lacy. You can't afford for him to dictate the game from a DT position.

3. Pressure Spurrier. Make him uncomfortable. He has 5 INTs on the year. Make him have 7 by the time the game is done.

 

South Warren:

1. Kick the Ball in the endzone. On kickoffs, taking the ball out of BGs speedy, well-trained athletes hands is key and this will keep them on the long field. CRITICAL!

2. Must establish at least the semblance of a run game. Doesn't have to get a ton of yards, but must keep BG D off-balance and prevent the all-out blitz every play.

3. Shut BGs run game down and make Buchanan beat you.

 

My pick:

 

BG 24

SW 17

I can tell you right now this game is going to come down to BG's ability to give Beau Buchanan time to throw the football. South Warren's d-line is really good and BG's o-line has been questionable at times, especially against really good teams.

 

South Warren has not faced an offensive package anywhere near to what BG has. It has faced not the speed of the BG offense. South Warren's secondary is slow, unprepared will probably get lost in coverage. However, BG won't be able to take advantage of that if Beau can't get folks the ball. South Warren's D-line is really good. If the passing game isn't there, running the ball will be a lot more challenging.

 

BG's d-line and linebackers HAVE to show up for this game. South Warren's offensive play package isn't that deep. South Warren's O-line is very solid and they have a fast running back that must be contained. They like to do this misdirection and fake hand off type plays to get him the ball. The D-line must get some penetration and the linabackers have to make plays on Winn. The secondary cannot be the leading tacklers on Winn in this game. BG almost just needs just spy on him. If they can contain him, the majority of their offense goes away. Spurrier has trouble with decision making, he's not very fast on a release or running the ball. But if he has time he has a little bit of an arm and can make a throw.

 

This game will come down to the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. To me BG is at a little bit of a disadvantage on the OL and DL. But if they can step up BG should win. Also watch how South Warren deals with BG's special teams. I bet they kick the ball out of bounds, the endzone or extremely close to the sideline to keep BG's special teams from making a play, even if that means sacrificing field position.

 

Should be good game, but I'm picking BG to win. I plan to get there early. This is South Warren's first visit to the EL and they may not understand the knoll where the BG fans sit. Gotta protect the spots.

A few offensive numbers to look at. If these numbers are not exact, they are very close. Pulled them off of KHSAA

 

Through 8 games:

 

Rushing Yards: Bowling Green 850 yards / South Warren 1,000 yards

 

Passing:

Purples: BuCANNON 99-158 (62.6%) 1,331 yards / 0 INT's / 20 TDs / 1 Rush TD

Spartans: Spurrier 94 - 154 (61%) 1,495 YARDS / 5 INT's / 17 TDs / 2 Rush TD

 

Purples Opponents have won total of 24 games

Spartans Opponents have won total of 22 games

 

Purples averaging 41 points per game ( giving up 15)

Spartans averaging 37 points per game (giving up 11)

 

 

I stand corrected. BuCANNON for BG Purples has 14 TD passes thus far in season, not 20. Apologies!