5A Playoffs – Regional Finals Round – Third Round Game

Atherton (10-2) at Bowling Green (10-2)

The Atherton Ravens fly south to take on the Purples of Bowling Green in this 3^rd Round game.  These two teams have never faced each other before.  And the inaugural game will kick off in Bowling Green at 7 pm Central Time!

Streaming:  - Sporting Times (stfanclub.com)

Atherton Ravens Information

Atherton really came on the 5A scene last year surprising many by going 11 and 2 last year.  That 2023 Ravens team lost the first game of the year to a solid KCD squad 31-20 and then what would be their last game of the year at home in the Regional Final Round to a very good Owensboro team 43-7.  Coach Anthony White has really put a spark into his team and they have played really well over this span of time.  The 2024 Ravens have only lost at a good Woodford County team and the Sunday after Hurricane Helene came through vs a determined 6A Oldham County team. 

The Ravens are led by SR RB/DB Michael Curry who has over 140 rushing attempts this year for over 1,300 yards on the season with over 20 TDs.  Atherton has used 2 QBs over the season including SO Deairus Smith and SR QuaShawn Thompson.  They have combined for over 1,400 passing yards on the year with 19 TDs vs 9 INTs.  Defensively, SR Jeremiah Parker leads the team with 94 tackles on the season (23 for loss) and 10 sacks.  Very nice job! 

It is fair to say that Atherton runs a little more than they pass as evidenced by having roughly 600 more rushing yards than passing yards on the season. 

The Ravens come into this game on the heels of beating Louisville Moore 19 to 6.  I could find no information on this game.

Bowling Green Information

The Purples come into this game on the heels of battling an ole foe away from Bowling Green.  The Purples traveled to Rash Stadium in Owensboro and took on the Red Devils in what would be a tough game.  BG came out of the gates well leading 14-0 after the first quarter.  It looked promising to continue that trend, but with BG on the doorstep at the O 3 yard line an about face occurred where BG burned 3 timeouts and was forced to settle for a field goal.  This completely swung the momentum to Owensboro who would drive at the end of the 2^nd quarter to score an uplifting TD and trail 17-7 going into the half knowing they would get the ball first coming out of halftime.  But just too many turnovers for the Red Devils as BGs defense played really well and only surrendered one more TD while BG would score a total of 10 points in the second half.  The best players for BG in this one were:

Jaxon Smith – the Junior WR/RB.OLB has really come on.  He had 1 sack and 2 TDs and sprung the key block for Travey Barbers long TD run.

Montez Trussell – The Junior LB has been a beast of late with pressuring the opposing QB and tracking down Hampton for the Red Devils.

Grayson Newman – the SR safety/OLB has played awfully well collecting 2 INTs on the night for the Purples. 

Good effort from the Purples!

Game Information

This game will be played on the campus of Bowling Green High School on their nice turf stadium.  It is a GREAT place to watch a game.   

In the 2023 Third Round Game, BG faced an inspired Fairdale Bulldog squad that has some similarities to this Atherton squad.  But I do feel Atherton is a step up athletically from that Fairdale team.  Honestly speaking though, Atherton hasn’t played near the schedule BG has nor really should they have.  This is their chance to see where they are.  Owensboro showed them this last year and my gut feel says BG will this year as well.  But MANY teams would love to still be playing this time of year!  Good luck Ravens! 

Game time is set for 7:00 pm central.  The current weather forecast for Friday night is a very chilly 45 degrees.  

Can the Ravens get some traction down in Bowling Green?

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

Purples big. Can't be looking past this game though. I know this bunch only has the Spartans on their mind for Thanksgiving weekend, need to reel that in and handle business accordingly. 

Until the 2nd and 3rd tier Louisville teams begin scheduling county schools, rather than playing other 3rd tier non-district JCPS foes, they will not advance further than the 3rd round. The county schools out-scheme those city teams everytime.  Now, BG will out athlete AND out-scheme Atherton, to the likely tune of 56-7.

BG rolls into the semifinals.

I am going to predict a running clock in all four of 5A's Regional Championship games... which is a shame. 

BG big. 

BG-49

Atherton-13

7 hours ago, Purple88 said:

5A Playoffs – Regional Finals Round – Third Round Game

Atherton (10-2) at Bowling Green (10-2)

The Atherton Ravens fly south to take on the Purples of Bowling Green in this 3^rd Round game.  These two teams have never faced each other before.  And the inaugural game will kick off in Bowling Green at 7 pm Central Time!

Streaming:  - Sporting Times (stfanclub.com)

Atherton Ravens Information

Atherton really came on the 5A scene last year surprising many by going 11 and 2 last year.  That 2023 Ravens team lost the first game of the year to a solid KCD squad 31-20 and then what would be their last game of the year at home in the Regional Final Round to a very good Owensboro team 43-7.  Coach Anthony White has really put a spark into his team and they have played really well over this span of time.  The 2024 Ravens have only lost at a good Woodford County team and the Sunday after Hurricane Helene came through vs a determined 6A Oldham County team. 

The Ravens are led by SR RB/DB Michael Curry who has over 140 rushing attempts this year for over 1,300 yards on the season with over 20 TDs.  Atherton has used 2 QBs over the season including SO Deairus Smith and SR QuaShawn Thompson.  They have combined for over 1,400 passing yards on the year with 19 TDs vs 9 INTs.  Defensively, SR Jeremiah Parker leads the team with 94 tackles on the season (23 for loss) and 10 sacks.  Very nice job! 

It is fair to say that Atherton runs a little more than they pass as evidenced by having roughly 600 more rushing yards than passing yards on the season. 

The Ravens come into this game on the heels of beating Louisville Moore 19 to 6.  I could find no information on this game.

Bowling Green Information

The Purples come into this game on the heels of battling an ole foe away from Bowling Green.  The Purples traveled to Rash Stadium in Owensboro and took on the Red Devils in what would be a tough game.  BG came out of the gates well leading 14-0 after the first quarter.  It looked promising to continue that trend, but with BG on the doorstep at the O 3 yard line an about face occurred where BG burned 3 timeouts and was forced to settle for a field goal.  This completely swung the momentum to Owensboro who would drive at the end of the 2^nd quarter to score an uplifting TD and trail 17-7 going into the half knowing they would get the ball first coming out of halftime.  But just too many turnovers for the Red Devils as BGs defense played really well and only surrendered one more TD while BG would score a total of 10 points in the second half.  The best players for BG in this one were:

Jaxon Smith – the Junior WR/RB.OLB has really come on.  He had 1 sack and 2 TDs and sprung the key block for Travey Barbers long TD run.

Montez Trussell – The Junior LB has been a beast of late with pressuring the opposing QB and tracking down Hampton for the Red Devils.

Grayson Newman – the SR safety/OLB has played awfully well collecting 2 INTs on the night for the Purples. 

Good effort from the Purples!

Game Information

This game will be played on the campus of Bowling Green High School on their nice turf stadium.  It is a GREAT place to watch a game.   

In the 2023 Third Round Game, BG faced an inspired Fairdale Bulldog squad that has some similarities to this Atherton squad.  But I do feel Atherton is a step up athletically from that Fairdale team.  Honestly speaking though, Atherton hasn’t played near the schedule BG has nor really should they have.  This is their chance to see where they are.  Owensboro showed them this last year and my gut feel says BG will this year as well.  But MANY teams would love to still be playing this time of year!  Good luck Ravens! 

Game time is set for 7:00 pm central.  The current weather forecast for Friday night is a very chilly 45 degrees.  

Can the Ravens get some traction down in Bowling Green?

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

Great write-up Purple (as usual). Purples win big!

Bowling Green's 48 point margin against North Bullitt in 2020 is their current largest margin of victory in the region final round.  I think this game will test that.

20 hours ago, VF111 said:

I am going to predict a running clock in all four of 5A's Regional Championship games... which is a shame. 

I don’t think the highlands/pulaski game will be a running clock. This has the potential to be a really close game.

Just found a little info on the Atherton vs Moore 2nd Round Game.  Moore was outgained 343 to 211.  Atherton had over 225 yards on the ground.  Moore had 2 INTs and the only Moore points came from a fumble scoop and score by Martin Hines.

So, Atherton's defense played really well in this game for the Ravens.  I know comparing scores is a shallow method to evaluate teams, but I will throw in that South Warren defeated Louisville Moore in Bowling Green back in October 51 to 6.  South defeated BG 28 to 24 about a week later.  And Atherton defeated Moore 19 to 6 last Friday.  Some comparisons to consider or burn really.

Strong season for the Ravens comes to an end with a long bus ride and a running clock for BG. 

Bowling Green 35-14.

Interesting that A will now come up against a strong opponent.

Think they will be on the receiving end of what they usually dish out.  

Bowling Green by as many as they want. 

I get the feeling that Atherton does not inspire the feel-good-story feelings of the Louisville folks...