The 2018 high school football season officially kicks off Friday night across the Bluegrass State.
In The Sporting Times’ coverage area, 11 teams will take the field on Friday while two other clubs begin their seasons on Saturday evening.
With 10 local games on the Week 1 slate, let’s take a look at each matchup:
South Warren at Hopkinsville
Friday, 8 p.m.
Stadium of Champions, Hopkinsville, Ky.
Broadcast: STBNTV.com (PXP: Miles Schroader)
Updates: Twitter.com/SportingTimes
Last meeting: South Warren won 35-14 on Aug. 18, 2017
Breakdown: South Warren is 2-0 all-time against Hopkinsville, winning 35-14 last season and 28-24 in 2016. The Spartans are coming off an 11-3 season in 2017, one in which they reached the Class 5A state semifinals. Hopkinsville went 6-7 last year, winning five of its last six to close the season in the Class 4A state quarterfinals. South Warren returns QB Gavin Spurrier and WRs Clayton Bush and Cameron Harrison on the offensive side, while Notre Dame commit Jacob Lacey and Pete Cross anchor the Spartans’ defensive unit. Hopkinsville returns QB Javier Bland, who passed for 2,148 yards and 22 touchdowns a season ago.
Franklin-Simpson at Elizabethtown
Friday, 7 p.m. (CT)
Elizabethtown, Ky.
Broadcast: STBNTV.com (PXP: Joe Brunk)
Updates: Twitter.com/SportingTimes
Last meeting: Elizabethtown won 55-23 on Aug. 18, 2017
Breakdown: Elizabethtown won the first-ever meeting 55-23 on Aug. 18, 2017 in Franklin. Franklin-Simpson went 12-3 last season and won the Class 4A state championship. Elizabethtown is coming off a 12-2 campaign, one in which it reached the Class 3A state semifinals. The Wildcats return a pair of standout RBs in Tre Bass (1,457, 14) and Carlos McKinney (1,153, 15), who combined for 2,610 yards and 29 TDs a year ago. Louisville commit Jack Randolph anchors the Franklin-Simpson defense. Elizabethtown graduated dominant QB Tyler Durbin and RB Jay Becherer.
Warren Central at Greenwood
Friday, 7 p.m.
The Swamp, Bowling Green, Ky.
Broadcast: Talk 104.1 FM (PXP: Chad Young)
Last meeting: Greenwood won 37-12 on Aug. 18, 2017
Breakdown: Greenwood has won the past three meetings against Warren Central. The Gators are entering their first season under coach William Howard. The Dragons search for their first win since 2015. Greenwood is coming off a 4-8 season in 2017, while Warren Central went 0-11. Greenwood loses standout, dual-threat QB Jackson Adams and RB Xezayier Snorton. Jamale Barber will be the Dragons’ starting QB in 2018.
Bowling Green vs. Central Hardin
Saturday, 8 p.m.
Rafferty’s Bowl at WKU’s Houchens-Smith Stadium
Broadcast: STBNTV.com (PXP: Joe Brunk)
Updates: Twitter.com/SportingTimes
Last meeting: Bowling Green won 55-7 on Sept. 23, 2016
Breakdown: Bowling Green is 3-0 all-time against Central Hardin. The Purples have won 11 consecutive games in the Rafferty’s Bowl and 16 straight games at WKU. Bowling Green, which went 10-3 last season, is entering Year One under new head coach Mark Spader. Central Hardin is coming off a 10-4 campaign in 2017 but loses standout QB Jacob Hobbs, as he elected to not play football this season and focus on his basketball career. QB Beau Buchanan and FB Vito Tisdale highlight the Purples’ offense. Jordan Dingle and Miles Smith anchor Bowling Green’s defensive unit.
Warren East at Portland, Tenn.
Friday, 7 p.m.
Portland High School, Portland, Tenn.
Broadcast: ESPNKY 102.7 FM (PXP: Garret Browning)
Last meeting: Warren East won 21-0 on Aug. 18, 2017
Breakdown: Warren East shutout Portland last season but trails the all-time series, 7-2. The Raiders went 6-5 and reached the Class 4A playoffs in 2017 under first-year coach Jeff Griffith. Warren East returns QB Nolin Ford and RB Thomas Maxey on the offensive end. Matt Mellencamp and Memphas Hite will anchor the Raiders’ defense.
Russellville at Glasgow
Friday, 8 p.m.
Scottie Bowl at Glasgow High School, Glasgow, Ky.
Broadcast: WCLU 102.3 FM (Glasgow) | WRUS 610 AM (Russellville)
Last meeting: Glasgow won 21-13 on Aug. 18, 2017
Breakdown: Glasgow and Russellville meet for the second consecutive season in the nightcap of the Scottie Bowl at Glasgow High School. The matchup marks just the third between the Scotties and Panthers since 1998. Russellville enters Year One under new head coach Mikie Benton. Glasgow is coming off a 10-4 season in 2017, one in which it advanced to the Class 2A state semifinals. QB Taner Abernathy will pilot the Scotties’ offense while Alabama commit Tanner Bowles anchors the defensive unit. Russellville went 7-5 a year ago and will be led into Week 1 by QB Jacob Naylor.
Logan County vs. Butler County
Friday, 7 p.m.
Cougar Field, Russellville, Ky.
Broadcast: WRUS 610 AM (Logan County) | WLBQ 101.5 FM (Butler County)
Last meeting: Logan County won 42-24 on Aug. 18, 2017
Breakdown: Friday night will mark the eighth consecutive year that Logan County and Butler County have met in their season opener. The Cougars snapped a 12-game losing streak to the Bears dating back to 2003 with a 42-24 win in 2017. Logan County put together a remarkable season a year ago, going a perfect 10-0 in the regular-season and advancing to the second round of the Class 4A state playoffs. Butler County went 0-10 last season. The Cougars return almost every piece from its 2017 squad, including QB Tyler Ezell, RB Gary Hardy, WR Dontavious Blann and OL Caden McKinnis.
Allen County-Scottsville vs. Adair County
Saturday, 6:30 p.m.
Forcht Bank Bowl at Campbellsville University
Broadcast: WVLE 99.3 FM (PXP: Kyle Harwood)
Last meeting: Allen County-Scottsville won 33-14 on Oct. 6, 2006
Breakdown: Allen County-Scottsville and Adair County haven’t met since Oct. 6, 2006 – a 33-14 Patriot win in Campbellsville. The Patriots are coming off a 7-4 season in 2017. Adair County is coached by former Warren Central coach Clay Stephens and went 1-9 a season ago with its lone win coming against Barren County. ACS graduated standout QB Chase Wilson but returns all-around WRs Jacob Lightfoot and Cayden Ross.
Barren County vs. Casey County
Friday, 7 p.m.
Trojan Stadium, Glasgow, Ky.
Broadcast: Nash Icon 103.7 FM (PXP: Jay Turner)
Last meeting: Casey County won 50-7 on Aug. 18, 2017
Breakdown: Barren County will play its first official game in its all-new, state-of-the-art stadium on Friday night against Casey County. Last season’s meeting was the first between the two sides. The Trojans have won two games the past two seasons, both victories over Grayson County. Casey County went 10-2 in 2017 and advanced to the second round of the Class 3A state playoffs. Junior QB Dalton Ford will lead the Trojans’ offense into Week 1.
Edmonson County at Caverna
Friday, 7 p.m.
Caverna High School, Horse Cave, Ky.
Broadcast: EdmonsonVoice.com (PXP: Scott Lindsey)
Last meeting: Edmonson County won 54-6 on Aug. 18, 2017
Breakdown: Edmonson County has won 12 straight against Caverna dating back to 1998. The Wildcats and Colonels are meeting in a season opener for the third straight year. Caverna has scored just 12 points against Edmonson County in the past three matchups. The Colonels are seeking their first win since 2015. The Wildcats went 6-5 in 2017 and fell in the first round of the Class 3A state playoffs.
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