South Warren (6-5) at Bowling Green (9-2)

ROUND 11

Well, the two rivals will in fact meet for a second time this season.  Before the South v Greenwood game, it didn’t look like that would be happening based on the current playoff format.  But a spirited Gators effort flipped the cross-district bracket and now it’s like old times with a playoff meeting that will partner with the regular season game.  BG won a hard fought, back and forth, fun to watch regular season game at BG 28-24 to open district play back on September 30, 2022.  But the teams have taken different paths since that meeting.  South likely sustaining injuries to several players and playing below what many expected in the final stint of the year losing for only the second time ever to Greenwood and Logan County and honestly not playing very well at McCracken County.  BG on the other hand has handled its business, except for getting throttled at State #1 6A St Xavier 31-0.

To get here, the Spartans knocked off a young Graves County squad in Mayfield 36-7.  South rushed for just over 250 yards and limited the Eagles to 85 rushing yards.  It was a good effort from South after 2 that fell short.  I would anticipate South is getting healthier but know one of their starting Olineman did go out in the Graves game.  I hope he is ok.

The Purples, on Senior Night, disposed of Ohio County 49-0.  BG got several Seniors on the field and in the end zone in this one, so that's a nice touch.  But 2 fumbles are a sign to keep working hard in practice this week for another very tough battle with the Spartans.

So, what about this game?  I think both teams are at different spots than they were at the end of September.  I still think South may have some injuries, although I don’t have specific knowledge of that.  I look for the Spartans to run the ball from the time they get off the bus.  For BG, I'd expect they have been preparing for South ever since they got home from the St. X game.  Low turnovers will be the trick for the Purples with balanced play calling behind their senior laden Oline.  Looking for big things from their young talented skill guys led by SO QB Deuce Bailey.  On defense, their DLine hasn’t been great, but other than the X game, has been slowly improving.  Add that to a pretty strong back 7 including strong SR LBs and BG should be prepared for this battle on Friday. 

But to discount South here seems like 2017 all over again.  That was the first year South and BG were district mates.  BG blew out South in the regular season 43-7.  But South had the last laugh earning a stunning 28-21 playoff win at BG.  I don’t think BG will overlook South ever.  But don’t expect South to come in with the same game plan either.  This will be a close game at least for awhile with turnovers as critical as they always are.  Whenever your season is on the line, these games are what make rivalries.

Who takes the lead in this series and why?

Bowling Green comes in after a pulping of Ohio County to take on their crosstown rival in South Warren. There are quite a few factors at play for the Purples going in to this week. I know they have been nursing some injuries that they have taken over the last few weeks of the season. 

South Warren has had a shaky year to say the least, with the high point obviously being the drubbing of Highlands in the opening week. The low is quite the valley though, losing to Bowling Green, Greenwood, and Logan County over the last few weeks of the regular season. They managed to string together a solid outing and overwhelmed Graves County in the first round of the 5A playoffs.

Typically speaking these games usually are battles every time they take the field. I do wonder with how South Warren's season has gone that if the fire has gone out for this game. They have not looked like the same team that matched up against the Purples back in October. 

I believe the game will come down to Bowling Green's defensive play and the production through the air and with the feet of Deuce Bailey. Last match up, Huddleston really made his mark on the game and you have to figure that is who the Spartans will look to neutralize out the gate.

This game has me leaning Purples, what say you?

Crazy timing @Purple88  ? We need a merge!

BG is the better team this year. The Purples left a lot of points on the field during the first game or that one wouldn’t have been as close.

 

BG is has gotten better since that first matchup too. South has gotten worse.

Now this is not a game BG can come into and play poorly or have a relaxed  attitude about though.  South would like nothing more than ruin BG’s playoff run.

South will try to control the clock and pound the ball similarly to the first game. I would expect some more play action. 

BG 34

SW 21

21-17 Purples. Conservative offensive play-calling in the first half likely. Rivalry games are always tight in the postseason.

I think Purples get the win in a competitive game.

2 hours ago, BillNye said:

Crazy timing @Purple88  ? We need a merge!

You have to report it, even if it is your own post/thread.

This is the first matchup between the 2 in a while where there is a clear favorite.  BG has been ascending while South Warren has been treading water and taking on water.  It is a rivalry game so anything can happen on a given night.  If they played 10 times, I think South wins 1 or 2.  I love the composure of both QB’s but with new OC  at BG play calling this year is much better and more diverse than in the past few years.

 

As long as the Purples don’t lose the TO battle by 2 or 3, they win.

BG 31-14

The conspiracy theorist in me thinks SW has been playing dead in the weeds waiting for this game since that September 30th defeat. I expect another close game with BG hitting the game winning FG on the final drive of the game.

24-21 BG

Is BG at full strength?

7 hours ago, Devils Fan said:

Is BG at full strength?

Yes sir. I believe the Purples are at full strength.  A few bangs and bruises like everyone else but I think the O and the D and special teams will be playing each preferred starter for Friday night

Purples win on a last second Hail Mary 24-21.

This one feels a lot like 2017 to me.  BG won the opener in that season and South stunned them in the playoffs.

I agree with others in that I think BG is just better this year, but they will have to prove it and do a better job controlling the South run game than the first game this year.  It's going to be a good game.

Which SW team shows up? To be honest, I don't know. SW has had multiple games this year where they rack up 400-500 yds of offense but somehow only come away with 21 pts or less. Red zone offense as been underwhelming to say the least.

Obviously this isn't the SW defense of the past and they get gashed for big plays A LOT. 

All that being said, this is a Rivalry game and one that I think is always difficult to predict even in years where it seems like one team is better than the other.

I'm taking BG at home 28-17

I see this as a close game with a similar score as the regular season matchup.

Bowling Green 33

South Warren 28