18 hours ago, Killowatt59 said:

Unfortunately the first half is pretty much not on NFHS network. I watched it today and after the first owensboro td it skips to like 1 minute before halftime. I was disappointed cause I wanted to see it.

But what I saw in the second half I am even more confident BG will win.  If BG just plays well and don't turn the ball I don't see Owensboro being a threat. Now if BG has a bad game could be a different story.

I wasn't impressed with Owensboro what I saw anyway.  Wish most of the first half made on the on-demand broadcast. 

I just finished watching this game on demand from the NFHS and then I read through this thread.  I don't mean any disrespect to Owensboro here but we are in lockstep @Killowatt59 on our assessment of Oboro and this game.

Give me the Purples by two or three touchdowns!

Also everyone, this is a great thread, I wish they were all like this one. 

17 minutes ago, theguru said:

I just finished watching this game on demand from the NFHS and then I read through this thread.  I don't mean any disrespect to Owensboro here but we are in lockstep @Killowatt59 on our assessment of Oboro and this game.

Give me the Purples by two or three touchdowns!

Also everyone, this is a great thread, I wish they were all like this one. 

@theguru I agreed with everything you said until you stated "I just finished....".  ?  One big note, KEY, Crowdus, and Burton all played defense in the 2nd half.   But I agree, if Owensboro plays like it did in the 2nd half they will lose.  They moved the ball some, but Freddie controlled the LOS.  Exact opposite in the 1st half though.

https://khsaa.org/football/2020/5aflipcardweb.pdf

 

Probable starters and backups - good information.  It looks like Burwash is the backup chain gang as well.

4 minutes ago, Brown said:

@theguru I agreed with everything you said until you stated "I just finished....".  ?  One big note, KEY, Crowdus, and Burton all played defense in the 2nd half.   But I agree, if Owensboro plays like it did in the 2nd half they will lose.  They moved the ball some, but Freddie controlled the LOS.  Exact opposite in the 1st half though.

I had to read that twice to get it, LOL!

1 minute ago, Brown said:

https://khsaa.org/football/2020/5aflipcardweb.pdf

 

Probable starters and backups - good information.  It looks like Burwash is the backup chain gang as well.

If we're playing NCAA football 14, Burwash is what we like to call an athlete (ATH). He has played every position on the field except inside backer and o/d line. He lined up quite a bit at running back earlier in the season. He does a great job at spelling Bunton when he needs a blow, Halcomb (27) has gotten more carries as of late however with Burwash's move to wide out. Burwash also comes for nickel and dime packages on defense. So there will plenty of #16 sightings on Saturday!

6 hours ago, Purple88 said:

2 Days Before the Big Game!!!

Let's get more focused here!  My Top 5 Keys to the Game:

1.  "Contain Owensboro QB Gavin Wimsatt".  I usually say get pressure on the other teams QB and that is good from a BG perspective, but one of Wimsatt's most under-rated attributes is that he runs quite well.  BG needs to apply pressure with their front 3/4 while trying to limit easy runs for the O QB.  The BG OLine must also do a good job of protecting QB Cooper.  Owensboro DL Savon Hines is a very talented guy on that DLine.

Conversely for Owensboro, "Protect Your Quarterback"!  I don't think Frederick Douglass got much pressure on Wimsatt at all.  This will be key against a very good BG front 3/4.  Also put pressure on BG QB Conner Cooper and NOT let him run wild!!!!

2.  Win the Kicking Game!  This is for both teams.  How many State Championships has you seen turned by a missed extra point or a Kick 6.  Either would be HUGE in this game!  Punting is also important with 2 very good defensive teams.  SO Andrew Lanz has come on to be a solid weapon for Owensboro.  SR Eli Burwash is the best punter BG has had in maybe 20 years.

3.  Steady the Offense!  For BG - Give QB Conner Cooper some easy passes early to get into the game and then try more daring plays.  Get RB Javy Bunton involved early too.  He's been the Purples workhorse all year that shouldn't change here.  Same thing for QB Gavin Wimsatt; it will be important to start off strong and establish a shorter passing game will allow for some deeper looks up top later.

4.  Limit the Home Run Balls!  For Both teams, Owensboro loves to throw deep to Tinsley and BG is at their best IMO when they can stretch the defense.  Every score counts and you don't want to give up an easy one.  Will BG target SR TE Jordan Dingle?  We will see.

5.  Turnovers!  They are critical in every game you play but none moreso than a State Championship game.  You can do everything above well and lose here and still lose the game.

BG has turned their opponent over 20 times in the last 3 playoff games (an UNREAL number).  Owensboro simply can't afford to let this happen.  Same with BG.  Bowling Green easily could have been up 28-0 at the half at CovCath were it not for turnovers.  No faults, no blames, just facts.  The team that wins the turnover battle is very likely to win the game;  it's that simple.

 

Prediction Time:  I love this Rivalry and think this is such a unique opportunity for both teams.  In the end, I have to go with the team I feel has the best defense and I think that team is Bowling Green.  I think Owensboro will score and if they win the turnover battle and get support in the kicking game, they can win this game also.  But ultimately, I think BG is the better team.  Not by much (because most on this board don't realize how good Owensboro really is), but a little and I place some value to the fact that Owensboro has left Daviess County twice all season while BG has traveled to Louisville 3 times and their schedule is significantly better.  You don't win games based on who you played, but you prepare based on who you played and here Bowling Green has an advantage.

Bowling Green 21

Owensboro 20

Don't want this to get lost - great analysis.

2 minutes ago, Brown said:

Don't want this to get lost - great analysis.

Agree, especially this part:

1.  "Contain Owensboro QB Gavin Wimsatt".

5 minutes ago, PhenomxX said:

If we're playing NCAA football 14, Burwash is what we like to call an athlete (ATH). He has played every position on the field except inside backer and o/d line. He lined up quite a bit at running back earlier in the season. He does a great job at spelling Bunton when he needs a blow, Halcomb (27) has gotten more carries as of late however with Burwash's move to wide out. Burwash also comes for nickel and dime packages on defense. So there will plenty of #16 sightings on Saturday!

He looks like a great all-around athlete - even punting!

Just a little side note about the game. I'm hoping that the officials let the boys play. I'm not saying to allow injuries, but this is a heated rivalry game. There is going to a lot of emotion and a lot of moving targets. I've been in that environment before (not for a state title lol) and I know how chippy it can get. Refs just need to get control of the game early to avoid foolish penalties that take away from the game. Bowling Green does not need a repeat of 2018.... please.

20 minutes ago, PhenomxX said:

Just a little side note about the game. I'm hoping that the officials let the boys play. I'm not saying to allow injuries, but this is a heated rivalry game. There is going to a lot of emotion and a lot of moving targets. I've been in that environment before (not for a state title lol) and I know how chippy it can get. Refs just need to get control of the game early to avoid foolish penalties that take away from the game. Bowling Green does not need a repeat of 2018.... please.

I hope so too but if recent history is any predictor I wouldn't hold my breath.  Unfortunately all too often some of the state championship officials do not look like they should be officiating state championship football games.  The blame for this goes squarely on the KHSAA's shoulders. 

9 minutes ago, theguru said:

I hope so too but if recent history is any predictor I wouldn't hold my breath.  Unfortunately all too often some of the state championship officials do not look like they should be officiating state championship football games.  The blame for this goes squarely on the KHSAA's shoulders. 

You can always tell a crew that is not used to up tempo, fast paced athletes/football. Sticks out every year at the finals, unfortunately. 

26 minutes ago, Brown said:

He looks like a great all-around athlete - even punting!

Seems like every game we play an Ohio St commit or a UK commit, or some other big school commit, and every game i walk off the field and think the same thing, "well Burwash was the best player on the field again tonight". In the meantime schools like WKU rank 139th on signing day and didn't sign anyone as good as Burwash, Bunton, Echols, etc. Not  even a sniff. Blows my mind. But yes Buwash could punt and play safety for any school in the country in college. And if we needed a 40 yard field goal to win he could do that too. I know he wants to play baseball but its a shame nobody is banging down his doors to play football. Bunton will be an absolute steal for some college and Echols will be too. I guess if you don't go to all the camps nobody pays attention to you.

Just now, TheDeuce said:

You can always tell a crew that is not used to up tempo, fast paced athletes/football. Sticks out every year at the finals, unfortunately. 

This 100%.

36 minutes ago, PhenomxX said:

Just a little side note about the game. I'm hoping that the officials let the boys play. I'm not saying to allow injuries, but this is a heated rivalry game. There is going to a lot of emotion and a lot of moving targets. I've been in that environment before (not for a state title lol) and I know how chippy it can get. Refs just need to get control of the game early to avoid foolish penalties that take away from the game. Bowling Green does not need a repeat of 2018.... please.

The good news is, its not at The Rash where you start the game down 10-0 and can expect at least a 100 yards of penalties. 

39 minutes ago, PhenomxX said:

Just a little side note about the game. I'm hoping that the officials let the boys play. I'm not saying to allow injuries, but this is a heated rivalry game. There is going to a lot of emotion and a lot of moving targets. I've been in that environment before (not for a state title lol) and I know how chippy it can get. Refs just need to get control of the game early to avoid foolish penalties that take away from the game. Bowling Green does not need a repeat of 2018.... please.

Right??  Like calling a sideline interference will 1 minute left in the game to put one team deep in the others territory, down 1 point.... ?