Class 5A Notebook: Owensboro bedevils Bowling Green, leaves Purples feeling blue

Red Devils exorsize some demons

The signs were there…

- The inability to consistently finish drives all season

- The heavily one sided nature of their loss to Warren Central (IN)

- The “old school” powerhouse Purples getting handled by “new school” rival South Warren

This just wasn't a vintage Bowling Green squad. Despite beating Owensboro on September 7th, and a fourteen game win streak for the Purples in the series, there was a feeling in the air entering this game that now was the time for the Red Devils to end a decade’s worth of frustration against their purple and gold clad tormentors.

Aiding in that belief was the roll that Owensboro had been on since their loss to BG. The Red Devils’ offense had been humming during their seven game win streak, averaging 43 points and nearly 400 yards per game. Will Warren has proven to be the missing ingredient this season, providing Owensboro (10-2) with an aerial assault they had previously been lacking. Their one dimensional, run heavy nature made what was already an uphill climb versus the supremely talented Purples even steeper over the past decade. Warren's arm has allowed them to push the ball down the field vertically and put the ball in the hands of their playmakers in space. That ability has proven immensely beneficial with the services of a player the caliber of Imonte Owsley.

Warren and Owsley hooked up for two long touchdown passes in Owensboro’s 28-21 victory over Bowling Green (9-3). All together, Warren threw for 295 yards and four touchdowns. Owsley hauled in seven catches for 160 and two TDs. Without Warren, who knows if Owsley would have found himself in position to make those plays. It's a dynamic that has expanded the scope of what the Red Devils can do offensively.

Bowling Green’s continued redzone troubles reared its ugly head again. Three failed trips inside the ten yard line (including twice near the goal line) helped doom a talented BG squad that never fulfilled its potential this season.

Owensboro has very little time to savor this victory. South Warren awaits.

Dirty Birds emerge victorious from the muck

It may not be remembered with the same reverence as the ‘97 Mud Bowl, but the field conditions at Anderson County left both the Bluebirds and the Bearcats looking a little weathered. Highlands (10-2) had to dig deeper than most probably expected in order to escape Lawrenceburg with a W. Despite their glossy 10-0 record, the Bearcats were still considered an underdog on their home field.

Highlands struck first on a beautiful 30 yard spiral from Grady Cramer to Ethan Houze. Later in the first quarter, the Bearcats punched back with a 50 yard TD run from Charles Collins. A second quarter field goal allowed Anderson County to take a 10-7 lead into the locker room. Anderson got nearly 200 yards rushing from Collins, but the Bearcats, Collins included, struggled to hold onto the ball in the sloppy conditions. The most damaging fumble occurred near midfield in the third quarter, and was scooped up by Ben Sisson and returned for what was essentially the game winning touchdown.

It may not have been pretty, but the win sets up Highlands/CovCath II, this time in Park Hills. The turf at Covington Catholic will undoubtedly be a welcomed sight for the Bluebirds after the mess they played in last Friday.

Region I

In the rematch of September 14th's South Warren blowout of Grayson County, the Spartans put it on the Cougars again, this time 55-21. In two meetings this season, SW has outscored Grayson County (8-4) in the first half by a total of 89-0. Cameron Harrison ran for 103 yards and three touchdowns, all in the first half. In contrast, Cougars running back Q Daryius McHenry, who ran for 357 yards last week, was stuffed for 23 yards on 12 carries. Clayton Bush opened the scoring with a short touchdown run and added a punt return touchdown later in the first quarter, his fifth non-offensive score of the year.

The Spartans (12-0) will now play host to Owensboro for the Region I championship. South Warren’s vaunted defense should receive a formidable challenge from the Red Devils’ diverse collection of offensive playmakers.

Region II

Though they didn't hang 70 this time, South Oldham still lit up the scoreboard versus Bullitt Central. The Dragons (11-1) ran for 315 yards on 10 yards per carry in their 56-7 rout of the Cougars (7-5). Twelve different ball carriers got in on the action, and Ethan Bednarczyk and JT Benson each caught a long touchdown pass. Bullitt Central can't get away from South Oldham fast enough. They were outscored by the Dragons 126-21 in their two games this year.

The Battle of Oldham County Part II was cancelled, due to a tiger mauling in Louisville. Fern Creek’s (8-4) defense feasted on Oldham County (10-2), yielding just 28 yards of offense to the Colonels. The quartet of Terrance Mitchell, Isaiah Hester, Anthony Teague, and Donte Cambron combined for 242 yards on the ground for the winning side. William Neal added 97 yards and a touchdown receiving.

The Region II championship will be decided in Louisville. It has the makings of a great game between two teams playing their best ball right now.

Region III

Michael Mayer recorded his second 100 yard receiving game in a CovCath uniform versus Montgomery County. His 101 yards and two touchdowns on just three catches helped power the Colonels (12-0) past MoCo (9-3), 43-15. Quarterback Caleb Jacob was a razor sharp 8 of 9 for 213 yards and three touchdowns. It was exactly the type of thorough, but comfortable night the Colonels were probably hoping for, a week before hosting Highlands.

Indians senior running back Justin Korossy closed out his career on an individual high note, rushing for 143 yards and a touchdown on the turf in Park Hills. He now holds the school record for career rushing touchdowns.

Region IV

Unlike their first meeting on October 5th, Pulaski County (10-2) required no fourth quarter tension to beat Lincoln County (7-5) this time. Pulaski QB Wiley Cain continued his high level of play with 343 yards and four touchdowns as the Maroons defeated the Patriots 35-19. Jake Sloan is typically Cain’s go-to target. But on this night, he took a back seat to senior Grant Oakes, who caught five balls for 124 yards and two touchdowns. In all, Pulaski rolled up 480 yards of offense.

The Maroons will welcome archrival Southwestern (10-2) into their backyard (which is only about a 15-20 minute drive from Southwestern’s backyard) for a regional championship showdown. The Warriors took care of business on their end by exacting a little revenge on Harlan County, the team that unexpectedly bounced them from the playoffs last year. Midway through the third quarter of a scoreless game, Southwestern finally dented the scoreboard first. They found paydirt again just four and a half minutes later to make it 14-0 at the end of three. Looking to create some fourth quarter drama, Harlan County (4-7) scored and successfully converted a two point play to make it 14-8. Drew Sawyers, who returned after missing a game due to injury, was having none of that. He countered HC's score with a long touchdown run shortly after to set the final at 20-8.