The 'Reservation' becomes a proving ground for unbeaten Jags

Records: North Laurel (5-0), Southwestern (4-1)

BGP Ranking: North Laurel (unranked in 5A), Southwestern (#6 in 5A)

Series History: Southwestern leads 7-4 all-time 

Table Setter: Two years ago, North Laurel middle school won the eighth grade Division 1 state championship. Those kids are now sophomores and several started last year as freshmen. The youth movement is in full swing in London, KY. Leading the charge is quarterback Tucker Warren, a sophomore who's accounted for over a thousand yards of offense and 16 touchdowns. Joining him from that talented class is RB/WR Christian Larkey (scored touchdowns on offense, defense, and special teams) and lineman Austin Johnson (51 tackles/15 TFL/8 sacks). 

If there's a knock on the Jaguars, it's the avearage-at-best schedule they've faced. That changes this week…

Southwestern was rolling along until a shorthanded Warriors squad stubbed its toe against Mercer County. They rebounded last week to handle Lincoln County by three scores behind a dominating effort in the trenches. Southwestern has one of the deepest backfields in class 5A, with a quartet of Tanner Wright, Giddeon Brainard, Christian Walden, and Dylan Bland combining for over 1,400 yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground.

The district has been controlled by Southwestern and Pulaski County for years. North Laurel attempts to throw its hat in the ring this week.

I think Southwestern wins but I expect the game to be fairly close maybe a score or less.

Southwestern for sure!

This a big night for North Laurel. They've looked good so far but only have one truly meaningful victory - the opener over Bell County. Southwestern's slate, at least on paper, has been much tougher. North Laurel has proven they can put points on the board and Southwestern has been at times susceptible to big numbers. I like Southwestern at home but North Laurel can make this a good game.

I think this is the game that NL will just find a way to win. The Jags have played really great against sub-par teams but have looked great every week doing it. Very balanced offense that can run the ball if needed and a young but very talented and smart QB that has a great arm. I know this is a tall task but I look for NL to score just enough an make enough plays on defense to pull the upset here. I’ll take NL by a TD.

NL 35

SW 28

I'll go SW by 14.

SW 35

NL 17

North Laurel has looked solid and will be great in a year or so. However, their only meaningful win came against a Bell County team that only dressed 22 players. I look for Southwestern to dominate in the trenches en route to a 14 point victory.

North Laurel gets the ball first from their own 22.  

North Laurel driving.  They have the ball on the SW 17, first and ten.  Timeout NL.  Scoreless 7:35 to go in the first quarter. 

North Laurel's 31 yard field goal attempt is blocked.  Southwestern takes over on their own 10. 

SW blocks a short FG attempt from NL and takes over inside the 20.

 

0-0 6:28 left in the first.

Timeout with 2:56 to go in the first. SW has driven it down to the North Laurel 14 but it is third and 13. 

That's a long drive to come up empty on. Nearly half of the first quarter gone on one possession.

SW tries a 31 yard field goal of their own.  It's good, 3-0 Warriors 2:46 left on the first quarter.