Bowling Green (0-1) at Owensboro (0-1)

Well it certainly was an eventful opening week to the season for both these teams.  But unfortunately for both, they both come into this game with 0-1 records.  I felt both played very well vs what may be the 2A and 3A state champions.  Onward!

This will be the 83^rd meeting between these 2 old rivals.  For BG, Owensboro is its most played opponent all time with BG leading the razor thin all time series 41-39-2.  Interesting of note is the rivalry dates back to the 1932 season according to BGHS records compiled by my friends the late, great PurpleHaze and @DragonFire.  In that 1932 game, BG pulled out a 14-13 win typical of the closeness of the series.  However, according to the historical Owensboro records there is a listing on October 16, 1915 where Owensboro defeated “Bowling Green” 55-0; then defeated “Bowling Green College” in 1916 6-0.  So depending on which side of the aisle you sit, you have a way to say you won the first game of this series!

They played every season from 2007 to 2018 (12 straight years); 1985 to 2000 (16 straight years); and 1932 to 1973 (42 straight years).  Most remember BGs long streak of wins (14 straight) from 2009 to 2018 (includes playoff games), but most don’t remember Owensboro’s streak of 15 straight wins from 1956 to 1971 (includes bypassing a few ties in that time).  The game BG broke that Owensboro 15 game win streak in 1972 – a 14-13 win for the Purples. 

As you can tell, I love the history of this rivalry and respect the Red Devils.  This year is no different and why I’m really happy they are back to playing each other (at least for now) in the regular season.

The Red Devils always have talent and this year is not different, but seems the majority of that talent is more younger than seasoned this season.  Owensboro started the season off against a high quality opponent in the CAL Centurions on the road last week and came away on the wrong side of a 28-14 setback although the Red Devils had 2 TDs called back for penalties.  Also Owensboro JR QB Trevor Delacey had 2 big runs for O and in some ways broke out of what most seasoned Red Devil fans have become accustomed to seeing from their signal caller.  The Owensboro RB room is really well stocked with very talented RBs SO Evan Hampton and JR Deon Winstead.  The Red Devil defense has talent as well but they are young and feel will need a few more weeks to get comfortable back in the secondary anyway.  We will see.

 

The Purples come into this rivalry game on the heels of another tough Rafferty’s Bowl battle with upstart Lexington Christian Academy and their fabulous QB SR Cutter Boley (UK Commit) and returning SR transfer Brady Hensley (a 1st Team All State Player and EKU Commit).  Bowling Green gave up 800 yards on the night.  No I didn't type that wrong.  It was that kind of game with BG accounting for mid 400 yard game themselves along with 2 defensive and 1 special teams scores, but still couldn't clip the high flying Eagles.  While no one likes to lose, I did take away that BG got alot of new players experience in such a real game situation (no mop up duty here) and I think that will pay off for them later on.

 

If you expect Rash Stadium to give you any condolences, well you're out of luck!  Because when you play at Rash Stadium, you better be ready to play as Owensboro always elevates their level of competition playing at home.  And as my good friend PurpleHaze used to say “you’re already down 7-0 when you go to Rash Stadium”.  Ha!  It’s a great place to watch a game!

Really, really looking forward to it!  Who you got!

I think BG offense is tough to stop and will carry them to victory.

Too much offense for BG should carry them to victory but I do think it’ll be closer than the Purples are hoping for. 
Another shootout? 

If BG can figure out the turnovers and missed tackles, I think they’ll be tough to stop.  I know nothing about Owensboro this year, but I’ll go with BG 42 O 21

I think BG wins but they must tighten up on defense I understand LCA has a lot of weapons but it is not acceptable to give up 800 yards against a team when you are a state championship contender.

I could be wrong but I feel as if BG’s defense isn’t the BG defense that we’re accustomed to seeing in years past, or it could just be that LCAs offense is just that stellar. Chances are it’s a mixture of the 2. With that being said I think the devils will break off a few big ones scoring upwards of 20 points….. But … I just don't know if it’ll be enough to keep pace with BGs high octane offense. 

Either way I think both teams are going to come out hungry for there first win and this game ends up being physical and intense.

Ima go optimistic in this 1 and say Red Devils pull this off 28-24 with a packed house at Rash with big games from Crowe Hampton and Winstead

I felt really good when LCA was winning 28-10.  But BG stormed back and actually left a few points on the field.  BG great QB and the sophomore WR is speedy.  I love playing BG again - don’t think we’ve played since state championship in 2020.  Last year would have been a great matchup too.  Both teams lost  a lot but look to be tops in 5A.  Delacey for Owensboro is a big upgrade at QB compared to last year.

 

it’s at Rash so the devils will be pumped and I’m sure a good game plan.  CALPREPS has O by 3.  Owensboro will need to play great defense and generate some TO’s.  BG play calling is off the charts the last 2 years.  It’s a great game for experience and will benefit both teams.

Outside of the FD playoff win at Rash a few years ago, when was the last time Owensboro won a high level game like this week or last week?  Its always the little details that cost them. Until I see them win one of these, I've got to think BG comes in to Rash a 2 TD favorite.

1 minute ago, ApolloFan98 said:

Outside of the FD playoff win at Rash a few years ago, when was the last time Owensboro won a high level game like this week or last week?  Its always the little details that cost them. Until I see them win one of these, I've got to think BG comes in to Rash a 2 TD favorite.

Henderson and Greenwood last yr maybe? I get your point though especially against BG they’ve had our number over the past 15 yrs or so. 
 

Outside of a few Red Devil fans I don’t think anybody in the state thinks we can win this game. For some reason Owensboro has beaten BG on a pretty consistent basis as of lately from grades 7- junior varsity but once that varsity level is reached we just can’t seem to climb that mountain that is BG. 

24 minutes ago, ApolloFan98 said:

Outside of the FD playoff win at Rash a few years ago, when was the last time Owensboro won a high level game like this week or last week?  Its always the little details that cost them. Until I see them win one of these, I've got to think BG comes in to Rash a 2 TD favorite.

2018 BG at Rash - or the last time Owensboro played BG at Rash.

I'm a little lost on what to expect from the scoring front. After letting up 800 yards of offense, there is no where to go but up (I'd hope). Rewatching the game online it was very indicative that BG was continuously getting outflanked to the boundary, which is a sure sign of alignment issues pre-snap or rather not adjusting correctly to movement.

I say that Spader and Co make the correct changes and adjustments to put the Purples in the W column.  I'd be very interested to see an injury report to see who and who will not be dressing for this game. A LOT of bodies went down in the Rafferty's Bowl, no idea if it was all cramps but I am hoping the injury bug is finished with this group. Want to see these guys ALL healthy.

44 minutes ago, Devils Fan said:

Henderson and Greenwood last yr maybe? I get your point though especially against BG they’ve had our number over the past 15 yrs or so. 
 

Outside of a few Red Devil fans I don’t think anybody in the state thinks we can win this game. For some reason Owensboro has beaten BG on a pretty consistent basis as of lately from grades 7- junior varsity but once that varsity level is reached we just can’t seem to climb that mountain that is BG. 

Hendo and Greenwood are good teams, but they don't get recognized like BG or other teams Apollo is speaking about across the state.

You're right on the Red Devils winning against BG in the lower levels of late.  Several of BGs top younger players didn't play Freshman or JV ball, but true about 7th and 8th grade.  I think once you get on a streak like BG was on, the mental side of the game definitely plays a part.  I look for a great game on Friday.

Does anyone know if the game time is 8 central or 8 eastern time?  Thank you in advance.

37 minutes ago, Brown said:

2018 BG at Rash - or the last time Owensboro played BG at Rash.

You had to bring THAT game up!!!   ?

To start the year and watching the scrimmages I thought this game would be a blowout.  While I guess it still can be - as BG scores in a hurry.  I have no idea what to expect from a scoring standpoint.  Both teams are reloading, but the QB at BG is top notch and very confident.  I would guess the proper prediction before last week would have been BG 35-7.  I would guess it's probably 42-21 now.  I think O can score, but can a revamped defense stop the onslaught.   If I was a non-homer I would say BG 42-14, since I am a homer I would say BG 35-28.  Owensboro since it revamped its offense in 2018 has been much more competitive against any team (2 years against St. X, CAL, Freddie D).  I think O has a very good coaching staff and they will be ready.  Either way great experience to build on for the Devils.  Crowe and Delacey are off the charts better than what I expected.

52 minutes ago, Purple88 said:

Hendo and Greenwood are good teams, but they don't get recognized like BG or other teams Apollo is speaking about across the state.

You're right on the Red Devils winning against BG in the lower levels of late.  Several of BGs top younger players didn't play Freshman or JV ball, but true about 7th and 8th grade.  I think once you get on a streak like BG was on, the mental side of the game definitely plays a part.  I look for a great game on Friday.

Does anyone know if the game time is 8 central or 8 eastern time?  Thank you in advance.

8:00 central