Playing at Rash Stadium is never an easy task, but that’s what the Purples were tasked with if they wanted to win the Regional crown. The teams faced off earlier in the season, with the Purples holding on to a 17-14 win, the only blemish on Owensboro’s season.
The Purples made quick work of their first drive, using only two minutes to get Jamale Carothers in the end zone and put the Purples on top. The Red Devils answered in kind, and drove down the field behind their talented back. But the Purples D held Owensboro out of the end zone, and they settled for a field goal. A high bounce on the onside kick gave Owensboro the ball back in the red zone, but the Purples D stood strong once again, holding the Red Devils to another field goal. Bowling Green would stop Owensboro on a fourth down in the red zone again, and after the Purples got outside of their own endzone, Carothers would break out a 76 yard run to give BG a cushion. Clark Payne would find DeAngelo Wilson for his first TD before the half, and Purples led 20-7 at the break.
Momentum would swing toward Owensboro and the home crowd in the third quarter, as the Red Devils drove down the field for their first touchdown to open the third quarter. Bowling Green’s offense was only on the field for six plays in the period, but Ahmerian Brown would get to Purples on the scoreboard with an interception returned for a touchdown. Midway through the fourth quarter, Clark Payne dodged an Owensboro blitz, then shoveled the ball to DeAngelo Wilson, who would tote the rock 41 yards for the score to help pull this game away. Brown capped off the night with his second INT of the night, and for good measure, he took it back all the way for the score. The Bowling Green Defense had four interceptions on the night, matching their total from their earlier matchup in the season. Final Score: Bowling Green 41, Owensboro 12.
The Purples will have one final game at the El next week, as they host Fern Creek in the State Semifinal. Can the Purples make it back to Houchens Smith Stadium? Join us at SportingTimesMagazine.com to find out
