After an absolutely brutal ending to last season, the Ballard Bruins look to start 2023 on the right track against the Southwestern Warriors—who are defending a region championship of their own—on Friday night at Campbellsville High School. 

The Bruins look to begin their region championship defense on the back of their leading rusher from 2022, RB Journey Wyche. I expect to see a heavy dose of the ground attack from Ballard as they will look to overpower Southwestern. 

The Warriors, on the other hand, have many question marks on both offense and defense as they look to find an identity after the graduation of many key players from last year. 

This game looks to be a good one on paper. However, with the transportation issues JCPS is facing, the likelihood that this game will be played is hanging in the balance. 

Who wins… if the game is played?

NFHS video:

https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/campbellsville-high-school-campbellsville-ky/gam021daf652f

Ballards run D was pretty stout last year.  They are usually pretty tough to run against.  That makes a tough game for SW in my opinion as they rely on their run game for the most part.  I'll take Ballard. 

Bump.

SW by 10.

On 8/12/2023 at 11:48 PM, BEChargers said:

Ballards run D was pretty stout last year.  They are usually pretty tough to run against.  That makes a tough game for SW in my opinion as they rely on their run game for the most part.  I'll take Ballard. 

Ballard is turning the page on maybe the best linebacking unit in the state last year. Willis, Frank, and Norfleet were a special group. Throw in Wyche and the problems he created at nose tackle, and they've got glaring holes to fill. There can't be too many teams that lost as much at the top of the defense as the Bruins did.

Having said that, the supporting cast is mostly back and should keep Ballard from falling off too much. I can't see them being as good as last year, but still probably a little more than Southwestern can handle. 

This will be an interesting game to follow. 

@WishboneCity, any idea if the Warriors are going to try to open up the offense this season? I read an article or two last year where Foley indicated a greater emphasis on the passing game, but it never seemed to materialize. At least not consistently. 

28-7 Ballard. 

2 hours ago, DevilMayCare said:

@WishboneCity, any idea if the Warriors are going to try to open up the offense this season? I read an article or two last year where Foley indicated a greater emphasis on the passing game, but it never seemed to materialize. At least not consistently. 

Foley is certainly not scared to air it out if he’s confident about it. I would even venture to say that in a perfect world he prefers to spread it out and throw it. I believe his 2018 Taylor County offense led 4A in passing. 
 

Last season a couple of long term injuries at receiver probably slowed the pass game down a bit. Not to mention SW had the ability to beat about anyone they played on the ground. If it ain’t broke…

 

This season, Kadin Hewitt is healthy and will probably be their number pass catcher. However, they lost their leading passer from last season so there is a chance we see a new(ish) face at QB. So with that being said, I really have no idea what the Warriors identity on offense will be. 

I'll go with Ballard by 7.

Bump.

First SW drive took all of 1:55 and resulted in a touchdown. 

Ballard answers on a long run after both teams struggled to move the ball.

7-7 start of 2nd quarter 

14-7 Ballard 

9:10 left in the 2nd quarter

Ballard recovers the kickoff and scores on the first play

21-7