What does Bowling Green need to do to improve in 2018? What do they need to keep doing to be successful? Remember, please be constructive.

I think 5A will be between BG and South Warren. I’m interested to see how Tisdale does this season and I am interested in seeing Coach Spader at the helm of the Purples. He has a lot of talent to work with. I really don’t expect much if any slippage from the play of BG.

 

Good luck, Coach Spader!!!!!!

Purples come in to the season with a very sour taste in their mouth from how the season ended for them against South Warren. This could prove to be a great motivation or it could cause them to play nervous and have some struggles. Add the new coaching team to the mix and the Purples are a big question mark for many onlookers.

 

However, don't throw the towel in on the Purples! They have a decent amount of quality players coming back with some D1 kids on both sides of the ball. Lots of coaches and schools would love to have their talent. I believe that Coach Spader will do a great job. He already has some former Purple coaches back on the sidelines.

 

Special teams - Last season was the best statistical season the special teams unit has had. Think about this interesting fact - although Zyon Kenner was a great athlete and did a superb job as the primary returner, the only reason he was back there (although he was very good) was to give Vito Tisdale a breather. I believe that Tisdale could in fact be the primary returner on both kickoff and punt return. Look out!

 

Defense - Our secondary should be lights out with several returners. Tisdale will make teams play opposite of him on many plays. Little Spader (coaches son) is the most underrated player the Purples has had in quite some time. He is not only a head hunter but flies to the ball about as good as any high school player you will see. Although the Defense has some holes to fill, never forget that Coach Spader is the guru of that side of the ball. 9 out of 10 years their defense is a great unit. I expect this season to be no different.

 

Offense - Although Vito Tisdale will always (rightfully so) be the guy to talk about, he has some great help that may take a pretty big load off of his shoulders. Mainly, Michael Carter (his dad was a beast). Michael is a hard runner that is hard to take down. No one is even sure about Vito being the primary running back even this season. Folks may get tired of me tooting this kids horn but it has been a great problem for the Purples. He will be the best player on whatever side of the ball you put him on. Here is an interesting stat (Dragonfire can probably get more detailed) but after Vito's sophomore year he has the same amount of touchdowns as former Purple Mr Football Jamal Carothers. Carothers got MANY MORE touches than Vito his first 2 years. Vito has basically just filled in at RB in certain situations. Vito will have the chance to be the alltime scoring leader at BG as well as the all time interception leader as well. Another D-1 prospect is Jordan Dingle. This young man is going to be a beast. Great Tight end with lots of size and great hands. Throw in the Riggs kid that was injured last year and you got some great skill players. Beau BuCANNON, BG QB, should have another spectacular year. He is a champ of a kid. Only bad statistical game he had last year was the last game of the year. Other than that game he was pretty much lights out.

 

Purples will have holes to fill but with the returning talent and the coaches coaching the youngsters up, it should make for another great run for the Purples.

 

I will say that in the 35+ years of watching the Bowling Green Purples play on Friday nights that the game on Friday, August 31 at St. X will be the most awkward feeling game to watch as a fan. The coaches and the players on both teams will have lots of emotion and various feelings as well. It will be fun to watch (I think)

 

Good luck Purples. Looking forward to August!

I think 5A will be between BG and South Warren. I’m interested to see how Tisdale does this season and I am interested in seeing Coach Spader at the helm of the Purples. He has a lot of talent to work with. I really don’t expect much if any slippage from the play of BG.

 

Good luck, Coach Spader!!!!!!

 

Id put Cov Cath on that list too. I'd say Cov Cath is the whale of 5A. Those are two teams trying to harpoon the whale.

Would BG and Cov Cath meet in the semis again? If so that is the state championship game. Shame they're not on opposite sides.

I think the South Warren playoff game was probably a good wake up call for this group. A lot of talent, but now there’s a county school that can compete with them. BG is one of the best programs in the state and this season shouldn’t be any different with a high level of play for them.

 

As mentioned earlier, the game with St. X will be an intriguing one for sure. So many story lines.