For years the Purples were the cream of the crop in class 5A, however last season ended with a loss to rival South Warren. To make things worse, 6A Saint Xavier came in and plucked coach Wallace away from the Purples. Coach Spader, a defensive minded coach replaces Coach Wallace in what looks to be another exciting year for the Purples. Opening the season with a new coach vs 6A #9 Central Hardin will be no easy task, who do you think wins and why?

Going with BG in this one.

I think it will take a little bit for some roles to be defined for both players and coaches to start the new year; I still think BG wins. I think it’ll be a close game though.

 

BG - 26

CH - 17

If BG were in 6A they would be higher than #9, and in CH were in 5A they would be lower than #2. Purples by 20.

Bruins bring back experience in the backfield with all the key statistical leaders returning minus Jacob Hobbs who has decided to dedicate his efforts to basketball, recently committing to Lipscomb University in Tennessee. Central Hardin notoriously struggles with teams that have speed. Jr Chase Elmore will assume the duties as QB and seems to have a better arm than Jacob, although not the running QB that Hobbs was. My projection for this game

Bowling Green 42-

Central Hardin 21.

Hope I am wrong but this series recently hasn't been close

The Purples are hot! And by hot I mean they are mad. They know they got flat out embarrassed by that loss to South Warren that ended their season. And the Spartans let them know about it afterwards too.

 

But that's over. They can't do anything to change that. However the Purples have been waiting all offseason to take out some steam and CH just happened to be first team available.

 

I believe Bowling Green has an experienced group coming back and that has been focused. Hopefully when your focused that means you do the little things right. Many are keying in are Wallace leaving, but don't forget this is still a talented group.

 

The flip side Bowling Green has a new head coach running the program for the first time since 1996!! However, Coach Spader has been a major player on the coaching staff for years and he returns a lot of the same coaches and personnel that's been there for quite a while. So how much is really going to change? Coach Spader is going to have do things his way and what he thinks is best, but I don't believe it is going to be an enormous change.

 

Defensively I don't think much at all or at least not what wouldn't have changed anyway even if Wallace was still there. Coach Spader was running the defense under Wallace.

 

Now the BIG question mark what does Wallace's departure mean for the offense? Wallace was the mastermind behind the offense. And the good news is Bowling Green kept the same offensive coordinator from last season. Now I realize coach Wallace called most the plays and such, but the Purples aren't starting from scratch offensively here.

 

Coach Spader has said he would like to more success with the run game to go along with the passing game. I think this can do nothing but help BG if the strategy is used correctly. BG has talent to run the football very, very well. Combine that with an improved passing game and an experienced Beau Buchanan that is about 40 pounds heavier after an offseason nutrition/exercise plan and the offense could really surprise some folks.

 

I believe the Purples take out some anger on CH on Saturday and win big to setup two big games the following two weeks.

 

Bowling Green 50

Central Hardin 17