For the third straight season, the Bowling Green Purples beat 33-28 John Hardin to advance to the state title game. BGHS jumped out to a big lead early, but crumbled in the third quarter. The game was an instant classic, similar to the Purples’ 14-13 win against JHS last seson. This year’s game was just as much fun, with just as many memorable moments.
Early on, Bowling Green’s defense was dominating. On the Bulldogs first play from scrimmage, Purples’ linebacker Lincoln Quick ripped the ball out of the hands of a JHS running back and gave BG the ball early. Blue Tisdale ran it in from two yards out to give Bowling Green a 7-0 lead within the first two minutes of the game. The ensuing kickoff continued to cause John Hardin havoc. Danny Dewalt recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown to give BGHS a 14-0 lead. “I heard no whistle, I picked it up and I scored,” said Dewalt. Bowling Green’s Tisdale found paydirt yet again in the first quarter to stretch the BG lead to 21. BGHS quarterback Devin Hayes got the Purples’ pass game going with a 39-yard touchdown to Nacarius Fant. Bowling Green looked as if they were on their way to their fourth straight running clock, but John Hardin finally found some points in the second quarter to put the score at 27-7 at halftime.
The second half was one that the Bowling Green Purples will never forget. BGHS marched down the field, but Hayes threw his second interception of the game to give John Hardin possession. The Purples’ offense began to unravel from there, as they struggled to get any positive yards. After John Hardin made the score 27-14, the Bulldogs blocked a Hunter Hanks punt and took over at the BGHS 33. John Hardin’s offense continued to ride the momentum as they took the great field position and turned it into seven points. Bowling Green could not respond, and they were forced to punt. After a solid return, JHS scored on a 19-yard rushing touchdown to put them up 28-27.
Last season, BGHS was down 13-6 going into their final drive. On fourth and long, the Purples ran a hook-and-ladder to score and make the score 13-12. BGHS was successful on a two point conversion to win 14-13 and continue to the state title game in 2012. The Purples needed another miracle in 2013, with a drive that would begin at their own 32 after a JHS missed field goal. Hayes led the Purples down the field, going 7/8 for 60 yards. Bowling Green marched down the field to the one yard line, where the Purples relied on Blake Pillow to finish the job. Pillow jumped into the endzone to give BGHS a 33-28 lead. “Every time we play them it comes down to the last second,” said Pillow. “We pulled it off, it was a heck of a game.” To seal the win for BGHS, Austin Jones intercepted a pass to clinch a 33-28 victory.
The Purples win over John Hardin was their 43rd consecutive overall victory. “Winning, it’s all we know,” said Pillow. Bowling Green will play Pulaski County next Saturday at Western Kentucky University.
