South Warren (3-2) at Bowling Green (5-1)

ROUND 10

Short Cut: (for those strapped for time)

South Warren has come on strong after 2 early setbacks to 2 good out-of-state opponents and now sits at 3-2 on the year.  QB Bryce Button has really stepped up for the Spartans who graduated another fine QB in Caden Veltcamp from the 2021 State Championship team.  SR WR/KR/DB Christian Conyers will be the player South will look to in order to claim victory in this big district matchup!

Bowling Green came out of the gates this year strongly in response to a not-so-common 2021 season rolling through their first 4 games outscoring their opponents 141-41.  But then met an awfully stout Boyle County team and simply couldn’t make the necessary plays to defeat the Rebels falling 35-21 in Bowling Green.  But unlike the last 2 attempts, the Purples were able to outlast a Father Ryan (TN) squad that scheduled BG for Homecoming.  I’m sure that little detail didn’t go unnoticed.  BG persevered and never quite behind memorable performances by SO QB Deuce Bailey, FR WR Trevy Barber and JR RB Javon Huddleston.  The 2-point conversion will be remembered for along time.  

Records and teams played and scores are good data points, but these 2 teams have produced great games and high drama on many occasions regardless of those data points.  I anticipate this to be so again in a very close game with the difference likely being turnovers, costly penalties and/or perhaps the kicking game.  I think both teams play well and it will be another memorable game in one of the better rivalries in the state.

Who wins this game and why?

Give me the Purples.

Long Version (For those that care to invest the time)

This is an important game around Bowling Green and Warren County.  It is an important game in 5A and an important game in the State.  With that in mind, I wanted to dig a little deeper for those that might be inclined.

 

South Warren leads the all-time series, which began during the 2017 season when South Warren moved to 5A, 5 to 4  (I put that in here just for you @JellyRoll).  During that time, most games have been close (at least for a half).  In the five seasons these 2 have played, they have a combined 3 5A State Championships (2 South and 1 BG), including the last 2 5A Championships.  So this rivalry is one that is now looked on across the entire state.  The players, coaches, and fans are accustomed to deep playoff runs and I know both have aspirations for that this season as well.

But like all other things, change is upon us.  The 2022 High School Football KHSAA playoff structure has again changed, going with the coach preferred cross-district format and aligning and brings its friend RPI to get involved later in the party.  With all that said, there is no guarantee like the last few years that these rivals meet twice this year.  That (IMO) places more wood on the fire for this regular season game!    Let’s talk about the teams!

For the Spartans, they came out of the gate (a little unexpectedly) like a house on fire and blew the doors off a Highlands squad that is surely better than they played against South 49-14 in the Rafferty’s Bowl to start the year.  They then went on the road for 2 games against good out of state teams (one from Hendersonville, TN and the other from Gibson Southern, IN).  The Spartans fell in each of those games, but each was close and IMO gave the Spartans valuable experience and data to help them get better as the year has gone on.

Then 2 home games against lower classification teams (Paducah Tilghman and Central) allowed South to get their footing back and on target for this Big Game!

For the Purples, coming out of last season’s disappointing results required a new focus with a new group.  While the score may not reflect it, the 23-14 win over North Hardin in the Rafferty’s Bowl was a really good win for BG, as they were tested early, met the challenge and then outplayed the Trojans in the second half.  McCracken County was just outmatched.  Then Pleasure Ridge Park came to BG and largely got exposed due to a soft early schedule and questionable play calling for a team blessed with 2 D1 WRs and 3 year returning QB.  And BG outplayed them as well.  4A Hopkinsville was a good first road opponent and provided an early test, but overall no concerns.  Then the #4 ranked team in the State (according to CALPreps) came calling (Boyle County).  It was a tough physical game that BG needed to be hitting on all cylinders to win and they simply weren’t and lost 35-21 in a MUCH better effort than the one a season ago in Danville produced.  A second away game to private school Father Ryan (TN) proved MUCH more memorable that I had ever anticipated.  BG was behind the whole game, but found a way to keep coming back and stay close to the end.  The Fighting Irish drove the ball down and scored with 50 seconds to play.  I admit that I was thinking the game “could” be over.  But not done, as has a few of my BG mates said “this BG offense grew up last Friday night”.  It was awesome to see and the icing on the cake was the 2-point conversion play to seal it on a trick play from FR Trevy Barber to QB Deuce Bailey.  Memorable.  And now the Purples carry a lot of momentum into this BIG game!

 

Purple88 keys to the game:

1.     In the trenches:  Bowling Green, when successful, has been averaging around 150 yards rushing a game.  They rushed for 127 yards vs Boyle County.  That’s close but obviously wasn’t enough.  Can BG rush for 150 yards on South Warren, a team that has built their entire defensive program on stopping the run?  South has already given that up in their 2 defeats on the year.

In South Warrens losses, they have rushed for right at 100 yards on the night.  Can they rush for at least 120-150 yards on BG?  You know what they say about who wins in the trenches:  they usually win the game.

2.     The QBs:  South Warren QB SO Bryce Button last season was 16 for 29 with 196 yards, 2 TDs vs 1 INT in mostly mop-up duty.  This year it was expected for the young signal caller to come out slowly and then progress as he got more reps and more comfortable with the offense.  Well to heck with that!  Mr. Button came out guns-a-blazin’ going 11 for 18 for 190 yards and 2 TDs vs Highlands.  And his coach said the best part of the game was that Button felt so comfortable out on the field for his first varsity start!  Through 4 games, Button had a 62% completion rate with over 800 yards and 7 TD passes vs 2 INTs.   Very strong start to the season by Mr. Button.

 On to the Purples signal caller, SO QB Deuce Bailey finished the 2021 season going 101 for 203 attempts for 1,100 yards and 8 TDs vs 6 INTs.  Bailey, to my knowledge, is the ONLY Freshman to ever start a BGHS varsity football game.  The 2021 season provided Bailey with a great opportunity to learn in a trial by fire manner and he surely has.  He came into this season needing to step up and lead this Purples offense and he’s done a super job of that thus far and is playing as well as I’ve ever seen right now.  On the year and through 5 games, Bailey is completing over 60% of his passes for 1,024 yards (only 76 yards shy of what his output through 10 2021 games was!) 10 TDs and only 1 INT (a masterful pick by Hopkinsville’s Daisjaun Mercer).  He’s playing better every game and seems to be getting more comfortable out there every game.

So, which Sophomore QB will have the better game, Bryce Button or Deuce Bailey?

 

3.     Key Players:  For South Warren, it begins and largely ends with SR Christian Conyers, the University of Tennessee commit and Mr. Football candidate, has great ability and a threat to take it to the house at any time.  BG must account for him each play, as he rarely leaves the field in these type games.  For another Spartan, I’ll go with JR RB Jimmy Sales, who was in Kolby Martin’s shadow for some time, is now breaking out on his own.  Sales has 51 rushes through 4 games for 271 yards and 4 TDs.  He has helped take some of the pressure off QB Button and will need to do so in this game as well.

For Bowling Green, JR WR Easton Barlow has really come into his own this season.  A preferred target for QB Bailey, Barlow, through 5 games, has 16 catches for 397 yards and a team leading 6 TDs.  For another Purple, I would pick the RB spot.  There isn’t a name here because 3 names occupy it in JR Javon Huddleston (229 yards and 4 TDs), JR Ladanian Woods (240 yards and 2 TDs) and SO Jayden Axson (111 yards and 3 TDs).  This 3-headed monster wasn’t really known at the first of the year but has really come on this year.  And the Purples need that now!

So which of these key guys makes the MOST impact in this game?  What other guys could make big impacts in this game?

 

4.     Kicking Game:  For South Warren, JR kicker Eli McIntosh took over for the great Eldar Dervicevic at South and has done a fine job going 12 for 14 on extra points and 3 for 3 on field goals through 4 games.  McIntosh also punts for the Spartans.

For Bowling Green, SR Collin Fratus has gotten better each year and this year has proven he can kick the ball in the end zone on kickoffs most times, which is a valuable weapon vs a team that has a player the caliber of Conyers.  Fratus splits punting duties with SR LB Davis Fant.  Fratus had a BIG 39 yard FG in the Father Ryan game.

Which kicker has the better game? 

5.     Coaching:  For South Warren, Coach Brandon Smith leads his team for another round vs Bowling Green in a game that is planned for nearly year round at this point.  Coach Smith is a respected coach and always provides a formidable team.  They will be well prepared for this game, but you know he will be pretty sleep-deprived going into this Friday’s game.

For Bowling Green, Coach Mark Spader has done a great job this season leading his team out of a difficult 2021 season.  The scheduling gauntlet the Purples have this season lands this game at the end of a difficult 3 game stretch and shows that type of program Coach Spader has instilled (one that is tough minded with little time to take a day off).  Bowling Green will be well prepared for this game and fine tuning the game plan will be important vs a sound Spartan ballclub.  In the post game show, it was said Coach Spader made the call to go for 2.  It was the right call win or lose IMO.  Great job Coach!

So which coaching staff makes the better calls, has the better game plan, and makes the better halftime adjustments?

 

For South Warren, you know you’re going to get a balance dose of run and pass; do you load the box or just play straight up or look to blitz to put pressure on Bailey?

For Bowling Green, do you dare kick/punt to Christian Conyers?  How are you going to get pressure on Button?  What defensive changes do you make ahead of this game?

It’s going to be a great game, a great atmosphere, and a great crowd this Friday night at Bowling Green High School Stadium (this the first these 2 have played on BGs new turf field)!  Come out and be a part of it!

 

Who wins this game and why?

Geez.  Can the Purples fan not get a day to enjoy a heck of a win from Friday night? Lol.

Last night changes things. The Purples looked like a different team ( both good and bad) I’ll have to think about it before I give my prediction.

Fantastic write up and this game is building up (quickly) to be a great rival that all of the bluegrass will enjoy keeping up with.  No love loss between the two schools; which is what makes high school rivalries so entertaining. 
 

so many different angles of emphasis can be placed on the game. To me, BGHS must have more rushing yards than South. Easier said than done. Of course, turnovers and kicking game is always huge. 
 

With the new playoff alignment, I propose this is the most important head to head regular season game.
 

The electric atmosphere will be instantly obvious as soon as you get out of your car.

Hoping players that are banged up (both schools) can get the green light for Friday night; especially the seniors. 
 

gonna be a good en! 
 

 

I thought this was a really neat fact.  

I know Bowling Green is pretty good, but I just can’t pick against the fighting Smiths.

The game the Purples have been working towards since probably January. I'll take BG 21-14.

I’m going with South Warren, but anything can happen in a rivalry game and these are two fantastic programs!

I'll take SW by 90! Lol, seriously though this should be a great game and I hope to make the trip to BG to see it live. I'll take South 14-10

SW 31-20

I think SW continues to be a thorn in BG’s side but don’t be surprised if BG flips it in the playoffs.

If BG can make 2-3 key stops, that'll be what wins the game. Offensive line play and ball control has to be the point of emphasis this week. Keep Deuce Bailey clean and he will find guys, especially this crop. (Barber, Barlow, Sweeney, and the backs). 

Defense will need to get pressure and stay disciplined in coverage to win this ball game.

BG: 35

South Warren: 20

 

After the past couple of weeks, Purples have put some suspect run D on film. You have to figure South Warren will test the defensive front seven of BG early and often. How they respond to that will be the difference in the game, IMO. Try to make the Spartans one dimensional and live with the results.

I think this will be a close game for awhile, but South Warren wins it.