ON A 98-YARD TOUCHDOWN RUN IN THE FIRST QUARTER.
PURPLES IMPROVE TO 7-1 OVERALL
Didn’t get to see the WBKO or WNKY high school football highlights, as I went to Double Dogs after Bowling Green High School’s resounding 35-7 victory over the crosstown Greenwood Gators.
This just in:
Bowling Green’s defense is a force to be reckoned with.
Junior BGHS tailback Javen Huddleston opened the scoring with a dazzling 98-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter, and the Purples added another quick-strike score before the first quarter came to a close.
Sophomore QB Deuce Bailey used good protection to find his receiver before hitting teammate Easton Barlow on a crossing pattern, and Barlow outlasted Greenwood’s Andrew Hatcher on his way to the end zone, completing a 31-yard touchdown pass.
WORKS THE SIDELINE.
The first of two interceptions by BGHS junior free safety Wick Dotson set up the Purples’ third touchdown.
And this one covered 59 yards, Bailey’s second touchdown pass of the night, this one to BGHS freshman receiver Trevy Barber. It was a quick slant to the right side, but Barber traversed the width of the field on his way to the left sideline and the end zone.
Colin Fratus, the senior BGHS placekicker, added the PAT and it was 21-0 with 5:42 left in the first half.
Lofton Howard, the son of the Greenwood head coach, William Howard, was used extensively as the quarterback in the Wildcat set, filling in for sophomore starter Ryan Huff. Howard rolled right and floated the ball to the goal line, with the Gators’ Gray Price making the catch for a 12-yard touchdown pass.
ON A 12-YARD TD RECEPTION.
That was as close as the Gators would get.
After a lengthy halftime homecoming ceremony, the Bowling Green defense finished the task at hand as the Purples improved to 7-1 overall and 2-0 in KHSAA Class 5A, 2nd District play. Greenwood, meanwhile, dropped to 6-2 and 1-1, respectively.
In the third quarter, Bailey was intercepted on the left sideline by the Gators’ Andrew Hatcher, and Ryan Huff found teammate Chase Johnson on a wheel route that covered 33 yards while putting Greenwood on the cusp of the red zone.
The Purples scored their final two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, and Bowling Green improved to 34-0 all-time against the Gators.
“I think our defense carried us tonight,” BGHS guard/defensive tackle Austin Anderson said. “Offensively, we’ve got to stay more consistent. Running the ball, doing the little things. If we can fix those kinds of things, I think we can have one of the best offenses in the state. Certainly in this region.”
Greenwood coach William Howard gave credit to the BGHS defense, led by senior linebackers Davis Fant and Jake Napier.
“I thought we moved the ball consistently against them,” Howard said. “But they’ve got a really good defense, and they came up with some plays that took the wind out of our sails.”
I’ll have a complete story on the game Saturday morning. Thanks for reading.
