Purples Come Home to take on the Fighting Irish of Father Ryan (TN)!

Bowling Green returns home after a humbling 31-0 shutout loss at the hands of 4A Boyle County.

But no time to feel sorry for yourself as another really tough team comes to town this week looking to get back on the winning side as well.

First things first:               This will be the second meeting between these teams with their first and only meeting to date coming in the 2019 Rafferty’s Bowl.  Father Ryan won that memorable game 24-21 thanks to the efforts of Father Ryan QB Tabscott and BG not playing Vito Tisdale any on offense.  Bowling Green gave up two long touchdown passes in this game and eventually came back to tie it at 21 in the 4^th Quarter only to see Father Ryan get the winning 25 yard-ish FG with less than a minute on the clock.  Can BG even the score with Father Ryan this season?

Last Week:  Not much to say about last week other than BG didn’t seem to start playing until the middle of the second quarter and by then it was already 14-0 and finished 21-0 at the half.  Good job to keep fighting in the second half, especially the defense that only surrendered a FG after the break.  I personally wouldn’t use that film and move forward with a fresh slate, especially offensively.

Game Outlook:

Father Ryan comes in this game with a 3-2 record having lost last Friday night 10-7 at Montgomery Bell (2-3).  Last week they were ranked #19 in Tennessee.  The Fighting Irish are led by 6’1” QB Matthew Derrick, who looks good in the highlight videos from the following link:

Father Ryan High School (Nashville, TN) Varsity Football (maxpreps.com)

I think Bowling Green’s defense will have to be ready from the first kick this game if BG has a chance.  I say that not knowing if the offense will be able to improve significantly in a week’s time.  The offense is still very much a work in progress, although I do feel they are capable of making plays.  It is just a lot different for most of these players having to perform against significantly higher competition than they are used to.  But this trial by fire period will pay off for BG, as only 4 Seniors currently start on offense.

Who wins this game and what are the keys to the game?

Father Ryan competes in Tennessee's Division II-AAA. It's a private school division that features perennial powers Montgomery Bell, Brentwood Academy, Knoxville Catholic, Ensworth, and McCallie School. In other words, it's a gauntlet. 

Somebody at Bowling Green will need to wave a magic wand and conjure up some offense this week. The Fighting Irish are allowing 9.4 points per game so far.

I think Father Ryan gets the win and with their good defense wouldn't surprise me if BG gets shut out. I do think BG's defense will hold Father Ryan to low score. I think Father Ryan maybe 14-0.

Just don’t think BG has enough offensively to keep their defense fresh. I’ll take Father Ryan 28-7. 

BG'S offense is just a mess. It's just a down year and it is what it is. It can't be fixed this season.  Thankfully they will be be back on the upswing over the next three years.

BG will lose this one 24-0 on their way to a three game losing streak. Will finish the season 5-5.

Purples fumble first play. 
Father Ryan scores on short field 2 plays later. 
7-0 Father Ryan

Father Ryan was driving but INT to Nyembo for the Purples and they take over in BG territory. 
still 7-0 FR

FR drives but misses 39 yd FG. 
Purples take over. 
7-0 FR. Late First Quarter. 

Purples still battling

Great drive get to the 2 and Big 

Lightfoot RUMBLES in

TD BG

7-7 midway thru the 2Q. 

Father Ryan. Very nice drive and TD. 
14-7 FR late in 2Q. 

Halftime 

Father Ryan 14

BG -7

21-7 Father Ryan in the 3Q

28-7 Father Ryan 

Purples D tired and Purples O not a lot of answers.  

35-7 Father Ryan