Jim Mashek

GREENWOOD LOOKING FOR FIRST VICTORY OVER SOUTH WARREN SINCE 2022; DAVIS CHANEY FUELS GATORS’ OFFENSIVE ATTACK

In a lot of ways, it still feels like a district game.

Longtime rivals Greenwood and South Warren will collide in a high-profile matchup at The Swamp on Friday night, both teams sporting 2-0 records as the Commonwealth’s high school football season kicks into gear in September.

“When you play an opponent, in town, you know everyone,” veteran South Warren coach Brandon Smith said. “It has more of a community feel.”

Greenwood coach William Howard is quick to concur.

“It’ll be a good test for us,” Howard said. “It’s a crosstown rivalry, and the teams are familiar with one another. Should be a great atmosphere.”

In other high-profile games involving South Central Kentucky teams, defending KHSAA Class 5A state champion Bowling Green (0-2) looks for its first victory of the season on the road against Scott County (2-0), Logan County (2-0) faces crosstown rival Russellville (0-2) at historic Rhea Stadium and tradition-rich Franklin-Simpson (1-1) travels to Lexington to tangle with Lafayette High School (1-1).

South Warren was a Class 5A state semifinalist last season, and the Spartans have had to replace some critical players up front and at the skill positions. South also has moved up to the KHSAA’s Class 6A ranks, and the Spartans will have six games under their collective belt before opening 2nd District play against Meade County on October 3.

Greenwood has relied on defense to earn hard-fought victories in the first two weeks of the season. Greenwood defenders Bray Roy and Stuart Scott collected 28 tackles between them on Opening Night, including Scott’s four tackles for losses, in the Gators’ 26-6 victory over visiting Westmoreland (Tennessee) on August 22, before senior GHS quarterback Levi Wyatt passed for 147 yards and two touchdowns in a 21-6 victory over crosstown rival Warren East.

“They’ve been able to kind of hang their hat on that defense,” Smith said. “They have a lot of the same moving parts that we do. Their defense is pretty good, the offense grinds it out.”

South Warren is playing on an artificial surface for the first time, which means the Spartans have had to practice in their indoor facility or the adjacent practice field next to the South softball complex. South also will play host to arch-rival Bowling Green High School on September 12, after falling just short, 31-28, in the KHSAA Class 5A semifinals last season.

South Warren quarterback Camden Page, a 6-foot-3 junior, is off to a solid start since succeeding Eastern Michigan University freshman Brock Button, a three-year starter. Page has completed 31 of 50 passes for 514 yards and five touchdowns, and sophomore Chase Bell is also in the mix at quarterback, giving the Spartans multiple options on offense.

“You want your kids to gain confidence,” South coach Brandon Smith said. “Confidence is a key in high school football … Cam’s the starter, but Chase will play. They both deserve the opportunity to play.”

Page said the Spartans can’t get ahead of themselves, with Bowling Green and their new Class 6A district lurking in the distance.

“To keep it going, as a team, we’ve got to know our assignments and play hard,” Page said.

Senior wideout Jake Carter, who leads South Warren with 12 receptions for 219 yards and a touchdown, admits the Greenwood game “was circled on the calendar” before the season. Carter likes the way the Spartans have come together in their first two non-district games.

“I love the competitiveness we have as a team,” Carter said.

Smith, meanwhile, is thrilled the Spartans won’t be playing in Lexington or Louisville, as they have in their first two games, hard-earned victories over Bryan Station High School (56-35) and DuPont Manual (27-17). Page passed for 236 yards and two scores in last week’s win over Manual.

“I’m ready to take a 10-minute bus ride, instead of three hours,” he said with a smile. “We’re excited to be playing around here.”

South Warren is typically tough in the trenches, with standout Malik Bell getting significant snaps on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Junior lineman Jacqui Smith has been an effective run stuffer for the Spartans, and they’ve been able to establish some depth in the secondary in the early going.

Greenwood, meanwhile, is looking for its first victory over the Spartans since 2022. The Gators are also looking for their first 3-0 start in four years, as the 2021 Greenwood squad opened the season with five consecutive victories.

“We’ve faced a team that can run the ball (Westmoreland), and we’ve faced a team that can throw,” Greenwood coach William Howard said. “Now we’re facing a team that can do both … We’ve got a good group of seniors, a good group of kids. Some of the younger guys have become seasoned players, and they know what to expect.”

The Gators are likely to try to control the ball, and keep Camden Page and the South Warren offense off the field, but the Greenwood defense will be tested, too.

“(South Warren) uses the whole field, you’ve got to be able to defend the whole field,” Howard said. “We’ve got to be able to tackle out in space. We’ve got to keep the ball way from them, as best we can.”

Senior quarterback Levi Wyatt said the Gators understand the task at hand. Greenwood’s Davis Chaney has rushed for 176 yards and three touchdowns, while teammate Nathan Self has added 141 yards on the ground with one score.

“Our offensive line is going to be a key factor,” Wyatt said. “We’ve all got to be on the same page, offensively.”

Greenwood linebacker Stuart Scott said the Gators’ mission is simple. Play hard, play smart.

“We’ve got to trust the coaches, trust the guy next to you,” Scott said. “We’ve just got to adjust to each team we play, every week.”

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Greenwood High School.