BY CB AUGIE NYEMBO (LEFT) AND RB JAVEN HUDDLESTON.
PURPLES’ OFFENSIVE LINE MAKES IT HAPPEN; BGHS DEFENSE PITCHES ANOTHER SHUTOUT
Man, that was impressive.
Bowling Green High School’s football team rolled into the KHSAA Class 5A regional championship round with a resounding 34-0 victory over archrival South Warren on Friday night at El Donaldson Stadium.
The Purples (10-2 overall) completed a two-game sweep of South Warren and they’ll play host to South Oldham (8-4) in a regional championship game next week. The Spartans, last year’s KHSAA Class 5A state champions, sputtered at critical times this season to finish 6-6 overall.
“It’s like we were treading water all year long,” South coach Brandon Smith said. “(Bowling Green is) a really good team. They’re locked in. Their offense was really on point tonight.”
CELEBRATES HIS 4TH-QUARTER TOUCHDOWN.
Bowling Green has now outscored its two postseason opponents 83-0.
Sophomore quarterback Deuce Bailey had another sensational game for the Purples, but it was the BGHS offensive line that set the tone, giving Bailey an air-tight pocket for most of the night. Junior tailback Javen Huddleston turned in another brilliant effort, opening the scoring on a 1-yard run in the first quarter and closing the scoring with a spectacular 69-yard run for a touchdown in the third quarter.
The Purples’ defense was on top of its game, too.
Bowling Green allowed just a handful of first downs, and the Spartans were again undone by penalties, missed assignments and shaky tackling.
“We’ll get to host, and play for a regional championship,” BGHS coach Mark Spader said afterward. “We’ll be focused, and it’s a big game. We had the best week of practice we’ve had all year, and I think that carried over to our performance tonight. I’m so proud of them.
“Our offense has really been fun to watch, all season.”
Junior BGHS wide receiver Easton Barlow had two scoring receptions for the Purples, the first a 21-yard scoring strike from Deuce Bailey late in the first quarter. Barlow burned the South Warren for a 60-yard touchdown reception early in the second quarter, putting the Purples in front 21-0.
In other games involving South Central Kentucky teams, Greenwood fought tradition-rich Owensboro High School tooth and nail before coming up short in a 27-21 decision in Owensboro. The Gators finish their season with a 9-3 record.
HANDFUL OF FIRST DOWNS IN THE GAME.
Meanwhile, in Class 4A, Warren East and Logan County moved into the regional championship round on Friday night. Unbeaten Warren East improved to 12-0 overall, eliminating Madisonville-North Hopkins 28-17. The Raiders will play host to Franklin County (7-5) next week. The Flyers struck for a 40-14 upset of Spencer County on Friday night.
Logan County, 11-1 on the season, extended its winning streak to seven games with a 21-7 victory over visiting Hopkinsville High School on Friday night. The Cougars will play host to Louisville’s Central High School (8-4) on Friday night.
In Class 2A, Metcalfe County remained unbeaten in 12 games. The Hornets stopped Danville 21-14 on Friday night, advancing to the regional championship game next week against unbeaten Mayfield (12-0).
Mayfield rolled to a 40-14 victory over Murray High School on Friday night.
I’ll have complete coverage on the Bowling Green-South Warren game in the morning. Then, off to WKU for a home football game against Rice University and the Hilltoppers’ men’s basketball game against visiting Kentucky State.
Thanks for reading.
