5A Bowling Green (0-3) at 6A South Warren (3-0)

New situation for these two rivals as they will play for the first time ever not being in the same district (and classification)!

With the new 2025-2026 Realignment came change for South Warren who has stepped up to 6A this season.  That means they aren’t in the same district they have been in for the past 8 years (5A District 2).  For those 8 years, these two rivals have played 14 very entertaining games with the Purples leading the series 8 to 6 in those games.

This game will continue to be easily one of the most anticipated games in South-Central Kentucky, but being honest it will lose the added fuel of having district and playoff direct ramifications.  Additionally, there has usually been a second game in the playoffs (has been all but 2 of the 8 seasons they have played) and in those games one of these teams sends the other one home for the season and that is a bitter pill to swallow.  BUT ONWARD! 

This is a great game for the community and KY High School Football in general, not to mention the best gate game either will have all season long! 

2024 Game Results:

The thing about these games with these two teams is that you have no clue how they will play out and that’s what really makes them “must see” entertainment.  Case in point are the games from last season.  The regular season game at Bowling Green saw the Purples run out to a 24-14 lead with about 8 minutes to play in the 4^th Quarter.  If you’ve watched many BG games, they don’t usually lose when this scenario arises, but give South credit, they never quit and Bryce Button orchestrated 2 late 4^th Quarter TD strikes to stun BG at home and win 28-24.  I truly thought Bowling Green was the better team that night. 

Then onto the Black Friday Semi-Final rematch at South Warren.  Just unpredictable.  BG ran the first two kickoffs to the house and never took 1 offensive snap from center in the entire first quarter and still led the game 14-7 after 1Q.  But South was really strong this game, outgaining BG roughly 450 yards to 175 yards (not including the special team’s yards).  With BG up 24-21 in the 4^th quarter, Deuce Bailey converted a 4^th and 8 from the South 30 (selling the pass and then tucking and running) with about 8 minutes to play.  BG would punch that drive in and ultimately outlast the Spartans on a very cold night.  I truly though South Warren was the better team that night.  But as you can tell, fate and not logic typically rules the day in these games. 

STREAMING VIA: 

D93 Radio Station in Bowling Green does a great job with their Facebook live feed.  Link is here:  Facebook

Sporting Times also does a great job and their feed link here:

Home | Sporting Times

South Warren Information:

South Warren comes into this game on a nice trajectory.  They outlast a down Bryan Station team in Week 1.  They didn’t play terrible, but not great either.  But South does what they do as well as anyone and that is scrap the last game, refocus and come back with a renewed effort in the next game.  And they did exactly that when they drove to Louisville and outplayed a pretty high regarded 6A team that ended the regular season in 2024 as one of the highest ranked 6A teams.  So the 27-17 road win vs Manual was really impressive because they stood toe to toe with a team thought to be in the 6A Championship race to the end this season.  South then traveled across town and played a better than you think Greenwood team at the Swamp and came away with a hard fought 33-19 win.  But I’d say they played closer to the Bryan Station game than the Manual game this past week.

South Warren is led by first year varsity QB Camden Page.  The JR continues to gain confidence and that has shown as his play continues to improve.  He has thrown for roughly 62% completion percentage with 514 yards passing with 5 TDs and 3 INTs (no Greenwood stats included here or below).  I think Page will continue to improve as the season goes along.  He has seasoned skill guys around him.  SR RB Kayden York leads the way rushing the ball with 141 yards through 2 games and 5 TDs.  He is also a threat out of the backfield with 5 catches for 93 yards and another TD.  SR Jake Carter is a very good WR leading South with 12 catches for 219 yards and 1 TD on the season.  With Colton Veltcamp now moved on, that tough TE spot seems to be filled by SR Griffin Reynolds who was big for the Spartans in their win over Manual.

But I would say South’s strength at the moment is their defense.  JR JaQuise Smith and SR Malik Butler form an anchor on that DLine that is tough to deal with.  Add active LBs JR Takyon Darden and SR Drayson Moore and South Warren will limit most every teams offense they will play.    

Bowling Green Information:

Bowling Green comes into this game on the cusp of two differing themes.  The first is more negative based upon the success they have garnered in the past “Oh” 15 years or so and the blind expectation of just rolling on come “H” or high water.  But the fact is BG has not started 0 and 3 since 1958 according to our friend @DragonFire.  The second is more positive as last Friday was the most cohesive 48 minutes to date this season.  And while many remain unavailable and many areas need to be improved, there is no denying the fact that BG is getting better and now being led by a FR at QB for only the second time ever, but twice in the last 5 years.  The Purples continue to be a work in progress, and many younger players are stepping up.  But this schedule continues to fully challenge all aspects of this Purples team.       

Against Scott County, FR QB Anthony Davis played well in hostile territory and while there were 2 INTs he kept the Scott County defense off balance and moved the ball pretty well through the air.  Also, JR RB Nick Graham likely had his best game as a Purple running behind the best version of this season’s Oline to date. 

Defensively, the Purples struggled against the unique Scott County offense but improved in the second half.  Several Purples played well, but I thought DE Christian Malone played especially well. 

Game Information:

Currently, Bowling Green is on a 1-game win streak in this rivalry series.  This game will be played at South Warren, which is an advantage.  They have a new turf field and a unique announcer. 

I look for South Warren to try to run the ball and sprinkle in quick easy passes to the TE when short yardage is needed.  Jake Carter is a threat to the outside and BG will need to be aware of where he is at all times.

For the Spartans defense, I look for them to pressure BG early and often.  South won’t the FR QB to get comfortable passing at all.  So, I feel like they will blitz/run blitz most plays to try to stop BGs run and rattle the QB at the same time.  They are a tough group and very well coached. 

For the Purples, value each possession and don’t turn the ball over.  If you have to punt, punt.  But don’t give South short fields to set up in.  And on offense, prepare as best you can for the pressure that is coming.  On defense, BG’s LBs need to have a good game to pressure Page, tackle York, and don’t let the ball get to Carter or Reynolds.  Easier said than done.    

It’s going to be a super-charged atmosphere Friday night at South Warren High School!

Can the Spartans hold serve at home or do the Purples extend to 2 rivalry game wins in a row?   

Who wins this rivalry matchup and why?

This should be competitive game. I need BG to win because effects St. X RPI. 

The best rivalry in the game right now. I won't even entertain the notion that my opinion is, in reality, anything other than indisputable fact.

Four of the last five meetings have been decided by seven points or less and they've combined to win five of the last seven state titles in 5A.

Throw BG's 0-3 record out. The Purples would love nothing more than to notch win #1 at the expense of the unbeaten Spartans. 

This is the kind of game that BG will probably win. I think SW is probably very confident after the start BG has gotten off to but I just have a feeling BG pulls it out 20-17.

Bowling Green 22-21.

The first article this week comes from the results of the first game these two ever played.  

It occurred during the 2017 regular season.  BG was highly ranked and due to some South

turnovers, BG overwhelmed the Spartans at El Donaldson Stadium 43-7.  It is still the largest 

margin of victory for either team in the series.  It also earned BG the 2017 district title.

2017 First South Game Regular Season.pdf

2017 First South Game Regular Season Pg2.pdf

But there will also be another article later in the week!

I have to admit seeing the Purples have 11 votes to win (I’m one of them) is a little surprising. If the other voters are like myself and just hoping for a Bowling Green victory then I guess it makes sense. It was strange to see the Spartans struggle with Greenwood, you could tell that the Gators game planned very well and their kids really wanted the win. South was just able to do what all the good teams can and that’s get out of bad situations with a win. The passing attack from the Spartans amped up as the game went along, Page was able to build some confidence after the Gators were all over him in the beginning. Spartans defense is where I’d be concerned as a Bowling Green fan, very big and strong front 7 and they keep contain really well. It’ll be a difficult task for the Purples to get anything going.

Was unable to watch the Purples last week against Scott County; NFHS decided I needed to watch what seemed to be a father and son doing some futbol drills instead. Listened to it though, honestly couldn’t get a feel for how it went outside of @Purple88 updates through the game, thanks for that. This game for me isn’t about the win or the loss, I remember when they decided to roll with Deuce Bailey his Freshman year and telling my fellow followers of the team that I just didn’t want him to get to down on himself when he doesn’t perform to the ability he desires. We know how that story ended and saw a couple of State Championships come out of it, hopefully we get a similar story with Davis. It’s a tough position to play as is and when you have the keys to the offense at 14/15 years old on a team that’s expected to win by the community, on top of having teammates who are on the way out the door in a couple months who will never play football again who want to leave a champion too, it’s tough. A different type of pressure to be at your best with all those factors in play. Just hoping to see some composure in the pocket and control of the offense. 
 

Huge game, @DevilMayCare was spot on, the best rivalry in the State. This series isn’t but a decade or so old, crazy to see how quick it got to this magnitude but living here in Bowling Green it makes a lot of sense. Simply just don’t like one another, two powerhouse programs and you can always expect a physical 48 minutes when they line up. I’m taking BG in this one, no other reason than I just want to see the Purples get a win. An 0-4 start is unheard of but could be a reality, need some timely turnovers and good special teams play.

Purples 24 Spartans 21

29-15 South Warren in the poll. 

I think until BG proves it I’ll go with the Spartans - won’t be shocked either way, but give me the Spartans by 10.

25-15.

To balance things out articles wise, the article download links below are for the 2017 Playoff game these two played.

In many ways, the rivalry began with this game.  BG blew out South at home during the regular season and came into this game as the clear favorite.  But in a lot of ways, I felt BG overlooked South due to that regular season game.  South Warren tightened up their secondary and forced 3 BG INTs.  Those were the only INTs BG had all year.  Also, RB Christian Winn was the offensive difference for South running 35 times for 166 yards and 3 TDs as South stunned BG 28-21.  It was also the last game Head Coach Kevin Wallace ever coached at BG, as he moved on to St X the following year.  Again, in many ways the rivalry really picked up right here.  Going to be a good one on Friday!

 

2017 Playoffs Pg 1.pdf

2017 Playoffs Pg 2.pdf

On 9/9/2025 at 4:24 PM, theguru said:

29-15 South Warren in the poll. 

Might also be the score.

Purples have arrived at South Warren. 
South in all black. 
BG in all white with gold helmets. 
32 minutes on the close before game. 

The game is streamed here:

https://stfanclub.com
 

BG will receive after South defers. 

Pass comPlate to Kirkwood. First down BG

BG to punt.