Jim Mashek

SOUTH IMPROVES TO 4-0 OVERALL; PURPLES LOOK FOR FIRST VICTORY NEXT WEEK AGAINST BARREN COUNTY

They were powerful up front, and they were efficient.

South Warren High School’s football team dismantled its crosstown rival, the Bowling Green Purples, in methodical fashion on Friday night. The Spartans punched out first downs, they got in the end zone six times, and they forced a KHSAA-mandated running clock with 3:25 left in the third quarter.

Against the defending KHSAA Class 5A state champions.

It might have been a defining victory for 12th-year South coach Brandon Smith’s promising squad, but Smith hit the brakes at the notion of putting the cart before the horse. The unbeaten Spartans have plenty of horsepower, to be sure, but they don’t begin Class 6A play until October, and both teams are still finding themselves four games into the season.

South Warren 45, Bowling Green 14.

It was the largest margin of victory in a colorful rivalry that dates back to when South Warren opened its doors in 2010.

“It’s Week Four. You’re still learning, still progressing,” Smith said when it was over. “We were worried about (Bowling Green) running the ball. They have a good offensive line. When we got them in third-and-long situations, we could take some chances.”

South Warren’s defense limited Bowling Green to 135 yards total offense, one week after the Purples amassed 372 yards in a hard-fought, 35-28 loss at Scott County. Bowling Green (0-4 overall) will open KHSAA Class 5A, 2nd District play at home next week against Barren County (2-2). The Trojans are Class 5A newcomers, and they reached the Class 6A state quarterfinals last year before falling to Great Crossing, 59-14.

Veteran BGHS coach Mark Spader didn’t mince words on his way to the Purples’ team buses.

“We didn’t come out of the locker room (after halftime),” Spader said. “That’s the first time that’s happened this year. We were on our heels, going in (to the locker room), we were on our heels coming out. We just never recovered.

“We took steps back, tonight. We’ve got work to do. We’ve got a district game this week. We’ve got to get this turned around quickly.”

South Warren’s Kayden York turned in an exceptional effort, opening the scoring on a 33-yard touchdown reception from Spartans QB Camden Page before fueling an effective running game well into the fourth quarter. The 5-foot-8, 175-pound senior finished the night with 125 all-purpose yards, while Page and sophomore quarterback Chase Bell took turns taking the Spartans downfield against a talented Bowling Green defense.

“We smelled blood in the water, in the third quarter,” York said. “We just had to stay the course … We’re just showing everyone who we are.”

South Warren was a KHSAA Class 5A semifinalist last season, but Bowling Green used two first-quarter kickoff returns for touchdowns to slip past the Spartans, 35-28, on its way to Lexington’s Kroger Field. That’s given South coach Brandon Smith’s squad some pause over the last few months, even if its move to Class 6A has taken some starch out of the Spartans’ rivalry with Bowling Green.

“Once the first-quarter nerves settled, they kinda settled in and took care of business,” Smith said.

South’s Camden Page and Chase Bell were able to share the wealth with their offensive teammates. The Spartans collected 404 yards total offense, putting the game out of reach with an explosive, 28-point fourth quarter. Bowling Green turnovers on back-to-back possessions set the torch for the Spartans, and they wielded it effectively in building a 45-7 lead after three quarters.

“We knew what our objective was, we knew we needed to go out and play physical,” Page said. “After the second half, we smelt the blood in the water …”

Smelt, smelled, the Spartans took control after the break.

Page took his squad 50 yards in six plays for South’s first touchdown of the second half, a deft 20-yard scoring pass to sophomore tight end Clay Helton. Helton and his twin brother, Cole, are the sons of seventh-year WKU head coach Tyson Helton, and at 6-foot-4, Clay Helton was a big target in the left seam. Page hit him in stride for the touchdown and Alen Alic’s extra point extended the Spartans’ lead to 24-7.

“(Helton is) a big man, and I love being able to throw to him,” Page said.

South Warren strong safety Ryley Oiler recovered a Purples fumble on Bowling Green’s next series, and this time, Page and the Spartans burned some clock before senior running back Kayden York scored on a nifty 12-yard touchdown run with 5:01 left in the third quarter.

“Kayden York has unbelievable balance, he’s got great vision,” South Warren coach Brandon Smith said. “He’s tough as nails. Doesn’t say much, but you like kids like that …”

A failed snap from center created another takeaway for the South Warren defense, and the Spartans’ Chase Bell capitalized on that opportunity with a 15-yard touchdown pass to fellow sophomore Jamir Boards. Boards would close the South Warren scoring with a 26-yard touchdown run to the right corner, but Bowling Green’s Anthony Davis would find teammate Jaxen Smith for a 22-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter, accouting for the final margin.

“It was a great team effort by the Spartans,” South Warren senior wideout/defensive back Jake Carter said. “I know Bowling Green is going through some struggles, but to beat them in that style, on our new (artificial) turf, at home, my senior year … That’s something I’ll never forget!”

Page and Bell would complete 19 of 23 passes between them, for 217 yards and four touchdowns, and the Spartans will tangle with Hopkinsville High School (3-1) next week at the Stadium of Champions in Hoptown. Bowling Green, meanwhile, is back at home looking for its first victory of the season against Barren County (2-2). After that, the Purples will square off with Louisville’s Christian Academy on September 26 in Louisville.