2024 South Warren Spartans

 

 

2023 RECAP:  Outcome:  Record: 9-3 – Lost to Owensboro 53-22 in Round 2 of the Playoffs

The Spartans have to be thinking “What Might Have Been” as they look back at their solid 2023 campaign.  They came out of the gate sputtering to an unusually poor North Hardin (1-10) squad. But then found traction in 3 very good wins vs Henderson County, at Southwestern and vs Gibson Southern, IN.  This led to an uncharacteristic matchup with stout DuPont Manual in Louisville.  The Spartans fought the 6A team tooth and nail and never quit falling by a 38-35 margin.  After 2 easier wins, they hosted arch-rival Bowling Green with the virtual district title and preferential playoff seeding on the line.

South used a dedicated, disciplined, clock-chewing gameplan they had not used much of the regular season vs BG.  And even though South never led for the majority of the game, they were on the verge of doing so for the whole game.  So, when BG took a 28-21 lead with roughly 4 minutes to play in the game, the Spartans didn’t panic.  They continued with their patient, consistent, clock-controlling gameplan and methodically marched down the field.  And with 32 seconds to go in the game, star QB Bryce Button found a clutch Isiah Rigsby for a resounding TD.  South would elect to go for 2 and Button would find the endzone with his legs and a crushing 29-28 South lead.  I’d say 99 times out of 100 that lead usually stands up.  However, when you play football, strange things happen.  BG took the ball at their 30; in one play got to the South 40 with 16 seconds to play; and in an unlikely turn of events executed a perfect hook-n-ladder play for a TD and BG ended up prevailing 36-29 in one of the most riveting games these 2 have played.

I went through that because the results of that game sent South Warren on the road Week 2 to face a very good Owensboro squad at Rash Stadium.  Had South won this game; they were the #2 5A RPI team in the state and would have hosted games until Kroger Field had they continued on.  But unfortunately for Spartan fans, Owensboro was ready for a battle and completely ran (literally rushing for over 300 yards on the night – unheard of from a South defensive unit) over South to end their 2023 campaign.  What might have been, but still a very good season ending at 9-3.   

 

2024 Graduates:  Offense:  WR Bailey Shoemaker; WR/DB DeShawn Bridges; RB/DB Jimmy Sales; C Layton Hughes; T Jake Neeper; WR/DB Isiah Rigsby.

Defense:  DE Greyson Jernigan; DT Noah Galben; S Kairan Hanes and K Eli McIntosh.

2024 Returning:  Offense:  QB Bryce Button; T Ethan Patterson; G Cameron Bell; G Landon Burkes; RB/LB Ethan Reynolds; RB/LB Jace Catrona

Defense:  DE Brody Enslow; DT Parker Smith; LB Drayson Moore; LB Colton Veltcamp. 

 

2024 Schedule Highlights:  (Not sure if they will be in the Forcht Bank Bowl again in Campbellsville or not)(also assuming their schedule will be a repeat of last year swapping home fields)

At Henderson County

Vs Southwestern

At Gibson Southern, IN

Vs DuPont Manual

At Bowling Green

 

2024 Outlook:  It should be another solid/very good year for the Spartans!  Any time you start your team with the top returning passer in 5A you’re feeling pretty good.  This will be Senior QB Bryce Button’s team for sure.  They return 5/6 on offense and 6 on defense (although they lose their entire secondary from last season).  Another key contributor is Senior RB/LB Ethan Reynolds who IMO is the heart and soul of the defensive unit and will play a key role of locking down opponent’s offensive game plans.  And their schedule is favorable to have very few losses by the time they head to Bowling Green for another Huge District Showdown!  Is it August yet?

This would appear to be the last full season South Warren remains in 5A, as their trending enrollment numbers suggest they will be moved to 6A when realignment comes around.  So, this is a big year for Sparty!

 

Great write up per usual @Purple88

I agree RB/LB Ethan Reynolds (SR) is definitely the glue guy, a tremendous player, somebody you definitely want to have in your program. 
 

Another name I want to throw in the mix is TE/LB Colton Veltkamp (SR), it will be substantial to get him involved in the passing game again this season. Last year he had 25 catches for 311 yards not too wild of a stat line, but get this. 8 receiving TD’s!

The Spartans lose the majority of their scoring, it’ll be interesting to see how they operate on that side of the ball. Even with a SR QB who has proven himself for multiple seasons now, they’ll have a very inexperienced group of playmakers.
 

Understanding the standard they have set I wouldn’t count them out of contention for the 5A State Championship. Best of luck to Coach Brandon Smith and the South Warren Spartans this 2024 season! 

Off-season weight room progress:

Ethan Reynolds...??

Graphics lifted from SW's football x/twitter

2024 Schedule 
Aug 23 vs. Ballard at Campbellsville (Forcht Bank Bowl)
Aug 30 at Henderson County 
Sep 6 vs. Southwestern 
Sep 13 at Gibson Southern (IN)
Sep 20 vs. Manual
Sep 27 vs. Greenwood*
Oct 4 - BYE 
Oct 11 vs. Moore
Oct 18 at Bowling Green*
Oct 25 vs. Ohio County*
Nov 1 at Logan County 

*District 

Bump.

SR QB Bryce Button is headed to Ypsilanti to get involved in some MACtion. Congratulations young man!

The Spartans have had just four starting quarterbacks since 2014, all going D1.

Ryder Litten ➡️ Gavin Spurrier ➡️ Caden Veltkamp ➡️ Bryce Button

 

 

That is impressive, all schools should be so lucky. 

Really good article about South Warren from Bowling Green Daily News Reporter Micheal Compton.

This article gives you insight into who will likely take snaps on Friday vs Ballard; plus Coach Smith's insight as well.

Spartans look to make a splash in 5A swan song | Prep Sports | bgdailynews.com