For quite some time, Bowling Green High School football has been a powerhouse in the Bluegrass State.
It’ll now get the opportunity to compete against another powerhouse – this program one from Indiana that is one of the top-rated teams in the entire nation – on Friday night as the Purples travel to Indianapolis, Ind. to match-up with nationally-recognized Warren Central High School.
The Warriors, who are undefeated on the season with a perfect 8-0 record, sit atop the Class 6A Indiana Associated Press poll after receiving all 16 first-place votes this week. Along with its state ranking, Warren Central is also the 15th overall ranked team in the entire country and No. 1 program in the Midwest in USA Today’s Super 25 Regional rankings.
“We are very blessed to have the opportunity to travel up to Indianapolis on Friday to face the Warren Central Warriors,” Bowling Green coach Mark Spader told The Sporting Times. “This is a tremendous opportunity to compete against an excellent opponent.”
Warren Central – which has captured eight state championships all-time – is led by an explosive offense that averages over 500 yards and scores 52 points per game. As the Warriors’ official yards-per-game total is 527, 289 of those yards come in the air while 238 come from the rushing attack.
Senior quarterback Jayden George leads the charge for the WCHS offense, having thrown for 2,019 yards and 29 touchdowns – with just two interceptions – through eight games. George averages 252 yards and nearly four TDs per outing.
In addition to George, senior running back Romeir Elliott has recorded 1,473 yards and 21 TDs on 149 carries, while senior wide receiver David Bell has reeled in 56 receptions for 1,128 yards and 17 scores.
“They are ranked No. 1 in Indiana and feature an offense with a wide receiver, quarterback and running back that put up big-time stats – along with a dominant defense that has given up very few points,” Spader said.
While Warren Central’s offensive unit has been firing on all cylinders, its defense has been pretty solid, as well.
The Warriors record 61 tackles per game and have tallied 18.5 sacks on the year in addition to 10 interceptions. Junior linebacker Randy Wells, Jr. has made 59 tackles through eight games – including 36 solo – while senior Kavie Minor is just behind him with 56 total tackles.
Bowling Green couldn’t have asked for a better time to participate in a game like Friday’s.
Fresh off a much-needed bye week, the Purples – also undefeated at 7-0 on the season – will head to Indianapolis with a healthy roster that will be itching to get back on the football field.
“We took some needed time off during our bye week and will fortunately be much healthier as we travel up North,” said Spader. “On the flip side of that, there’s no time to ease back into the schedule with the task ahead of us.”
Before last week’s bye, Bowling Green finished with 436 yards of offense and defeated Grayson County 68-8 on Sept. 27. Defensively, in the Purples’ last three games – which were all wins – they allowed just seven points per contest.
Senior quarterback Beau Buchanan has played a big role for BGHS in 2018, passing for 1,655 yards and 16 touchdowns through seven games. Along with Buchanan, junior running back DeVito Tisdale has rushed for 652 yards and eight scores, while senior wide receiver Jamil Smith has tallied three TDs and 133 yards.
“We are really excited to play such a first-class program at our place,” Warren Central coach Jayson West told The Sporting Times. “We have to play our type of football to have a shot at winning since we are not familiar with each other.”
Kickoff between Bowling Green and Warren Central is set for 6 p.m. (CT) Friday at Warrior Stadium in Indy.
Those who can’t make the trip can watch live – and free of charge – on STBNTV.com, courtesy of The Sporting Times Broadcast Network. Joe Brunk, Voice of the Purples, will have the call beginning at 5:40 p.m. with the Purples Pre-Game Show.
“We’ll need to be in top form in all three phases of the game in order to beat Warren Central,” Spader said.
Tyler Mansfield; @ByMansfield
