Somerset makes the short trip across the Hal Rogers Parkway to take on South Laurel in the 2026 Kinetic Cardinal Bowl. Both teams are breaking in new quarterbacks, and both teams are off to 1-0 starts. Both teams played in Somerset in week one in the Alton Blakely Bowl. The Cardinals cruised past Paul Laurence Dunbar 31-7, while the Briar Jumpers ran the clock on Wayne County 42-7. These teams met last season in the Alton Blakely Bowl. South Laurel surprised the Jumpers in that one and pulled off 33-22 victory. The game went back and forth but Somerset lost their starting quarterback in the second half and had to install starting running back Kris Hughes at quarterback. Hughes went on to have a great year as he played quarterback the rest of the season. But, with the team not prepared to make the switch midgame, the Briar Jumpers could not keep pace with a potent Cardinal offense. That was last season. Gone from those teams are South Laurel quarterback Mason Griffin, who threw for 2850 yards and 24 touchdowns against only 5 interceptions. Leading rusher Wes Dowell and his 1112 yards and 23 touchdowns rushing as well as 695 yards receiving and 6 more touchdowns also graduated. In fact, the 5 leading receivers for the Cardinals last season were seniors. Sophomore Maddox Warren will step in at quarterback to lead a young Cardinal squad. Noah Is on led the way for South on the ground as he finished with 133 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries. Regardless of their youth, Coach Johnny Hines is sure to feature a high-powered offense that will put pressure on a defense, as well as a few wrinkles that you won't see coming. Somerset, as mentioned earlier, graduated the 2A player of the year in Kris Hughes. Hughes set several Somerset season, as well as career rushing records in his 4 years in Purple and Gold. If Saturday's victory over Wayne County is any indication, his production will be spread out between several Briar Jumpers. New quarterback Guy Turner had a nice game in the opener against Wayne County. Turner was 7-9 passing for 161 yards and 2 touchdowns in what amounted to one half of play. Turner's touchdowns went to sophomores Alex Decker and Xavier Wooldridge. Senior Corban CImala rushed for 26 yards on 5 carries and a touchdown, as well as hauling in a 40 yard reception. Sophomore Darius Ridner added 31 yards rushing on 6 carries. The Somerset defense was stellar as they intercepted 2 passes and held Wayne County quarterback Korbyn Edwards to 8-20 passing for 98 yards and the Cardinals as a team to only 42 yards rushing on 20 attempts.

One of these teams will start out 2-0. Who will it be and why?

Turner changes Somerset dynamics on the offensive side. He was impressive in his debut. Somerset is huge up front as well.

Somerset rolls in this one and I think they will be playing for a state championship this year. This team is gonna be an absolute handful for anybody they play.

Somerset 35-21.

On 8/24/2026 at 8:49 AM, 83wildcatFB said:

Somerset rolls in this one and I think they will be playing for a state championship this year. This team is gonna be an absolute handful for anybody they play.

Football similar to life takes some strange bounces. Turner started at Boyle but left his soph. season missing out playing on two more really good teams and another state championship. Now looks like he has found a place where he can be successful on a good team with a good coach. At the same time, Lofton who was injured in his first game last year and missed the entire season at Somerset had surgery and enrolled at Boyle the second semester. Playing both ways now at Boyle, he had a nice game with four catches, one being a TD and did well on defense also in his first game back. Best of luck to both of these young men for the rest of the season.

13 hours ago, Country said:

Football similar to life takes some strange bounces. Turner started at Boyle but left his soph. season missing out playing on two more really good teams and another state championship. Now looks like he has found a place where he can be successful on a good team with a good coach. At the same time, Lofton who was injured in his first game last year and missed the entire season at Somerset had surgery and enrolled at Boyle the second semester. Playing both ways now at Boyle, he had a nice game with four catches, one being a TD and did well on defense also in his first game back. Best of luck to both of these young men for the rest of the season.

Did Turner lose the QB battle going into that season to Baylor Murphy? Boyle has had an outstanding stable of QBs.

2 hours ago, LethalPG said:

Did Turner lose the QB battle going into that season to Baylor Murphy? Boyle has had an outstanding stable of QBs.

Not really. Turner was only a freshman at Boyle. He did get some playing time, but was not in the running as the starting QB. If he had remained here he would have certainly have been playing somewhere in the starting rotation. As it worked out the QB situation at Boyle has worked out fine with Jhett taking over last year and now has turned out to be such a weapon for Boyle this year after leading them in their championship run last year. Turner was a starter his freshman year on the basketball team. I think both coaches felt like he had a bright future here. Always seemed like a great kid and team mate. Wishing him and his new team the best.

Any stream for this game?

4 hours ago, theguru said:

Any stream for this game?

Somerset Athletics is I believe, I'll post link once it's up.

SL 3 and out

S takes over at own 24.

South Laurel goes 3 and out of their first possession. Somerset starts on their own 24.

Late start, game 2 of bowl at South Laurel.

The South Laurel PA announcer sounds like the ones from the news reels in World War II.

Touchdown Jumpers

7-0 Somerset