Four Area Football Programs Reach State Semifinals for First Time
By Perry Swack
It’s no secret that the Greater Bowling Green Area is home to an impressive amount of talent when it comes to the high school football ranks in Kentucky. In five of the last six seasons (and in 8 out of the last 10), a team from this area has won a state title. In each of the last 17 seasons, at least one team has reached the state semifinals. In six of those years, three teams have reached the semifinals, most recently in 2017 with Glasgow, Franklin-Simpson, and South Warren.
However, 2021 is redefining the term “Banner Year” with a record four area teams still playing on Thanksgiving weekend. Starting in Class 1A, the Russellville Panthers (11-1) are in the state semifinals for the first time since 2016 and are looking for their first state finals appearance since 1990 when they won the 1A championship. Coach Mikie Benton’s club has been dominant all season, particularly in the postseason where they have outscored opponents 45-7 in their two games. In the region title game this weekend, Jovari Gamble continued his outstanding season on the ground rushing for 86 yards and two scores on 15 carries. The Panther Defense forced three turnovers in the win, adding to their season total of 35 turnovers. RHS will invite Bethlehem to Rhea Stadium for a Friday night showdown and a spot in the state championship game on the line. The only common opponent the two schools share this season is Crittenden County. The Panthers defeated the Rockets twice, 27-0 and 24-7. The Eagles knocked off Crittenden County, 21-13, in early October.
Glasgow (12-1) returns to the state semifinals for the fifth time since 1999 and for the first time since moving up to Class 3A in 2019. The Scotties have run the table since losing an opening week matchup to 5A state semifinalist, Woodford County. Coach Jeff Garmon’s offense has looked dynamic in each of the club’s three playoff games, averaging 46 points per game in wins over Hart County, Taylor County, and Bardstown. In a 48-42 come-from-behind win over the Tigers this weekend, Keiran Stockton slashed the BHS defense for 213 yards on 29 carries and three scores. The junior has now rushed for more than 1200 yards and 24 touchdowns on the season. The Scotties and Blue Tornado will square off in Glasgow for the first time in school history (or at least since 1999 when the KHSAA website started tracking game data).
While Russellville and Glasgow bring some experience to the state semifinals, the Logan County Cougars are in unchartered territory. Coach Todd Adler’s club (10-3) has played a tough schedule, eking out a 39-37 classic over Hopkinsville in the district title game before blasting Spencer County, 52-14, this weekend to win the program’s first region championship. Ryan Rayno and Wyatt Blake both rushed for more than 100 yards, as Rayno took off for 175 and Blake scampered for 102. The Cougars piled up 406 rushing yards on 36 carries and five TD. Logan will now travel to Boyle County for a showdown with the top seed in the Class 4A playoffs. The two schools share no common opponents in 2021, although the Rebels – coached by former WKU great Justin Haddix – have picked up a fair share of impressive victories. The Danville squad shut out Bowling Green, swept Lexington Catholic, and dominated Frederick Douglass.
On paper, it would appear that South Warren (12-1) has not been tested all season, outside of a 27-20 loss at Hendersonville (TN) in late August. The Spartans have 11 wins by at least 23 points, while all 12 wins are by at least 14 points. In its three playoff games, South has outscored opponents 122-32. In the region championship game this weekend, the Spartans outgained South Oldham 474-138 in total offense. Quarterback Caden Veltkamp tossed two touchdowns, while running back Kobe Martin ran for three scores. Veltkamp has now thrown for more than 2,000 yards on the season, while Martin will expectedly hit 1,000 soon. Coach Brandon Smith’s club now heads to Versailles for a matchup with the only undefeated team in Class 5A – Woodford County. The Yellow Jackets eliminated perennial power, Covington Catholic last weekend, 28-14.
What history awaits us next weekend? In 2011, three area teams reached the state finals as Bowling Green won the 5A title and Franklin-Simpson (4A) and Glasgow (2A) finished as runners-up. Two teams have reached the state finals in 1990, 1995, 2015, 2016, and 2018. Four teams winning this weekend would be a new record. Only time will tell.
