Central Hardin (2-2) at Bowling Green (2-2)

The Bruins of Central Hardin travel down I-65 to battle the Purples for the 7^th time.  This series began with a home and home contract in 1993 and 1994.  Then a game in 2004; another 2-game contract in 2015 and 2016; and a final Rafferty’s Bowl meeting in 2018.  BG has been victorious in each of these 6 earlier matchups, but the closest game of the series was the last game they played.  BG narrowly defeated a tough Central Hardin squad 20-13 in the 2018 Rafferty’s Bowl.

The Bruins are always a physical team under long time coach Tim Mattingly.  As my friend @Hardin County Preps reports, the injury bug has hampered the Bruins through their early games this season taking out their backup QB and a key secondary player for at least awhile.  Central Hardin is now led by SR QB Zakery Spurrier, but their bread and butter is running behind a good and underrated Oline with RBs Mason Gardner and Walker Meredith.  The Bruins typically run 3 times for every passing attempt they try.  On defense, Central Hardin is led by SR LB Noah Payton.  But the secondary may be the Bruins weak spot as evidenced by over 300 yards given up to Henderson County.

The Purples got back in the win column this past week 57-7 vs a game and young Apollo squad.  The Bruin defensive line will need to play well in this game to get pressure on BG QB JR Deuce Bailey as 300 yards vs Henderson County could and likely should be more vs a BG offense with passing weapons across the board.  BG was resting some injured players last week; will be interesting to see if any of them get back on the field.  I'll be interested to see the BG defense tested against a tough physical run-based offense.

Who do you have in this one?    

Central Hardin has been a turnover machine this season. I feel like their best game so far was the first game of the season. Not a good position to be in entering week five of the 2023 season against a foe in Bowling Green that I cannot remember EVER beating. After losing to Meade County on Friday night, a good friend of mine that has a son that plays for Meade County made the statement that the first quarter was the worst quarter of football he has seen from a high school team in a long time. Two fumble returns for touchdowns on bad exchanges between the QB and running back and a pick six, all within the first six minutes of the quarter. The lone bright spot Friday night was RB/DB Walker Meredith, who pretty much made all the big plays for Central Hardin on the offensive side of the ball. QB Zachary Spurrier, currently in his senior season, seems to have taken a step backwards this year and often makes mistakes that result in turnovers. Wow, not a great endorsement for a team that is playing a perennial power in the state of Kentucky on the road in week five of the season. 

I can very easily see Bowling Green winning by 3-4 TDs, 

Bowling Green 34 

Central Hardin 14

Bowling Green rolls in this one.

BG by 21.

Homecoming Tonight for the Purples:

 

49-7 BG 

CH has too much talent to not even have a chance in these ballgames. With their enrollment continuing to go up CH has to start putting it together. won't be this week tho. BG will win BIG. 

Purples up 7-0 4:00 left in first

Great pass to barber! Fumble but Barber recovers!

Drive stalls! 31 yard field goal good! Purples lead 10-0.

Centra Hardin starts at their own 20.

Sack 8 yard loss!

End of first 10-0.

Central Hardin has to punt. Purples take over on Bruins 39.

Bailey 13 yard completion!