Owensboro at Bowling Green Predictions/Updates

[Purple88]

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

Old Rivals face off in Bowling Green at Bowling Green High Stadium at 7 pm Central Time!

Streaming:  - Sporting Times (stfanclub.com)

This will be the 85^th 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 43-39-2.  These teams have produced some classic games over the years with most going BG’s way in the 2000’s (14 straight wins from September 18, 2009 to September 7, 2018) and most going Owensboro’s way in the late 50’s and 60’s (15 straight wins from October 26, 1956 to October 22, 1971). 

These two met twice last season.  Once in the Heat Bowl last August 25th in the second game of the year at Rash Stadium during a week where the entire Commonwealth saw temperatures into the 100’s all week.  It's going to be hot this week too, but not quite as hot.  Most games were pushed back an hour to start in order to get the heat indices down enough to play.  The Purples outlasted (literally) Owensboro 42-28.  Deuce Bailey had a huge game in that one with over 300 yards and 5 TDs.  They would earn the right to play a second time.  This time at Bowling Green in the 5A State Semifinal.  BG outgained the Red Devils roughly 400 yards offense to 250 yards offense.  But it was the Bowling Green defense that really stepped up to control the Owensboro offense limiting their chances and earning the win 38-6.  Deuce Bailey had another monster game with over 250 yards passing, 30 yards rushing and 3 TDs to his name.  Before we get into the game; a quick shoutout to my late friend @PurpleHaze, who was a staunch Purples fan and BGPs advocate and SO loved this rivalry game.

Owensboro Information

The Red Devils have one of the best running backs in the State in JR Evan Hampton.  The 6’ 200 lbs speedster has multiple offers from multiple mid to power 5 D1 schools.  Impressive.  Last year Bowling Green focused their defense on limiting the star RBs gains by what appeared to be 11 guys watching #22.  Owensboro may have added another impressive skill guy in Freshman King Dillard, who continues to make some plays for Owensboro in this early season.  

The Red Devils come into this game on the heels of a solid performance at home vs the very likely repeat 3A State Champion CAL.  The Red Devils had an offensive pass interference take a TD off the board and then two turnovers in the final 4 minutes of the half to trail 20-10 at the break.  They would fight CAL even in the second half falling 27-17.  Of course you'd like the win, but Coach Fallin stated in the Messenger Inquirer (who does a great job covering their local teams - Red Devils fall 27-17 to CAL in opener | Local Sports | messenger-inquirer.com ) "We (Owensboro) are 10 miles ahead of where they were at this time last year".  So that's great!  

Bowling Green Information

The 2024 season opened with an uneven performance from the Purples against a very talented Top 3 statewide team in Frederick Douglass.  BG would come out of the gates on fire and marched down the field for an opening drive TD.  Held Douglass on their opening possession; got the ball back and were marching again when Travey Barber would be stripped about the Douglass 25 to 30-yard line and they would return it all the way to the BG 2 yard line.  Douglass punches it in, and we are tied.  Just a game changing sequence.  Could Douglass have still won?  Absolutely, but it wouldn't have been 35-13.  Regardless, I'm hopeful the Purples can use this game to improve and be a better team come playoff time.  I believe they can, but a short week now awaits with an old foe who would like nothing more than stop BGs current 3 game win streak against the Red Devils. 

Game Preview & Information

This game sets up pretty well for Owensboro, I think.  BG has to be pretty battered from the huge, small college lines Douglass has.  So, I look for Hampton to be very dangerous on Friday night.  Even though I've never seen the Freshman Dillard play; I know he's a tough player BG will have to account for.  Trevor Delacey is a good QB, and I look for him to have a good game on Friday night.  What about the Owensboro defense?  Don't know, so we will find out.

For Bowling Green, time to circle the wagons and come out strong against a team they shouldn't need motivation to get up for.  The BG offense was pretty stymied against Douglass after the fumble.  They need to get back to business, but that doesn't mean you run it up the middle every first down.  Just saying.  Go to your strengths.  

This game will be played at Bowling Green High School Football Field (turf field).  Game time is set for 7:00 pm central.  The current weather forecast for Friday night in Bowling Green is a toasty 88 degrees.  BG MUST do a better job of hydrating.  They had WAY too many cramps in the Rafferty's Bowl.  That is preparation; short and simple.  

This game brings additional significance for BG fans, as BG will host a halftime ceremony honoring their 2 Mr. Football recipients – Coach Nacarius Fant & Jamale Carothers.  Will be a special night!

Really, really looking forward to getting the Rafferty's Bowl taste gone! 

Who you got and why!

[Purple88]

Shoot, I'd like one of those mini-footballs!  Laughing!

[BillNye]

Naturally, last Saturday was a painful loss just because I think all of us Purple fans thought we could win the game. Just goes to show, you may not always be as good as you think you are. I still am confident in this group as it pertains to being the best 5A has to offer and hopefully we can reel the guys back in gear for a tough home opener against Owensboro.

I look for a full reset here this week for BG. I'm glad the game is at home.

[Devils Fan]

Don’t know what to make of this game. Will it be more like the 1st meeting(last year) with both teams scoring and BG just out pacing Owensboro or will BG put there foot on the neck of the Devils like the second meeting in the playoffs and shut us out… I’m hoping it’s not the latter as a Devils fan. I’m not sure if O can pull this off but keeping this game within 10 points would do the Devils good as they continue to grow throughout the season. Of course I’m going to always vote for my Devils in the poll but everything in my gut tells me the Devils are in for a long night.

BG 42

O 21

[Phoenix Kid]

Good matchup here but the purples win this one.

[theguru]

I know the Sporting Times is doing this game and that is what I recommend but there is also paid video from the NFHS:

https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/bowling-green-high-school-ky-bowling-green-ky/gam6aecc09403

[Brown]

38-14 BG.  No reason to believe any different.  I think if O comes out firing quickly it could be somewhat different.  But still a 2-4 score game.

BG still the class of 5A.

[Brown]

Great write up as always @Purple88!

[SLINK]

Bowling Green 28-21.

[theguru]

Bump.

[DevilMayCare]

Barring a comedy of errors by the BG offense, I don't see Owensboro being able to keep the score down. They would have to keep pace and hope for a timely stop or turnover to win a shootout.

The Purples' defensive front got worked over by Douglass, so I do think Hampton will have opportunities for big plays. Just not enough to offset Bailey, Barber, Smith, and the rest of a Bowling Green offensive unit that's motivated to show that they are capable of so much more than what we saw last week.

Bowling Green 48

Owensboro 28 (maybe one score coming late after the Purples take their foot off the gas)

[Purple88]

Game Day is finally here!

 

[Devils Fan]

Kinda blows that the hype of this game is down this year for obvious reasons. (Last years playoff blowout by BG and the lost of O’s 2 best players due to transfer). I’m interested to see how O’s new comers perform in WR Ray and Dillard. They showed a lot of promise with good showings in the scrimmages and CAL game. Just hope they can do enough to keep the game close. 

[Purple88]

Beautiful night in BG!

Nearby rains have kept the temp and humidity down. 
HUGE tailgate crowd and all main parking BG lot filled at 6:25pm. Wow!

 

Mr Football night!  Coach Nacarius Fant & Jamale Carruthers!

Both teams out on the field  

Purples in gold pants and helmets with Purple jerseys.
Red Devils in white pants and jerseys and classic black helmets!

Let’s go Purples! 

 

[Purple88]

BG to kick.