Class 5A, 6A Midseason Check-In
By Perry Swack
Midway through the high school football regular season, it seems fitting to pause and assess how area teams are doing on the gridiron. Who’s playing well? Who’s got their best football ahead? Below are our midseason check-ins on the five area teams in Class 5A and 6A.
5A
Bowling Green (3-2)
Best Win to Date: 42-28 at Owensboro
The Purples took two, uncharacteristic losses in in the season’s opening three weeks; however, coach Mark Spader hasn’t shied from playing some of the state’s top teams regardless of class. BG fell by four to Lexington Christian in the opener and by three to Bryan Station two weeks later. LCA has the second-highest RPI in Class 2A, while Station has the highest RPI in Class 6A.
On the field the Purples have found the end zone with ease, averaging 46.2 points per game. Junior quarterback Deuce Bailey is ranked within the top 5 statewide in pass yards (1566), pass yards per game (313), passing touchdowns (17), and completion percentage (71.7). In Class 5A, he’s ranked first or second in each of those categories. In a 42-28 win at Owensboro, Bailey completed 20-of-28 passes for 321 yards and five touchdowns. Sophomore wide receiver Trevy Barber has been Bailey’s top target with 28 receptions for nearly 500 yards and eight scores.
Circle the Date: October 13 @ South Warren
Purples defeated the Spartans twice in 2022 to retake the series lead, 6-5. This game may very well decide the regular season district championship.
Greenwood (4-1)
Best Win to Date: 21-13 at Logan County
For a fifth-straight season, Greenwood has won at least four of its first five games. The Gators hope to continue their hot start this weekend as they welcome South Warren to The Swamp for a 7:00 showdown. Coach William Howard’s club is superb on both sides of the ball, ranking tenth or better in both scoring offense (32.8 points per game) and scoring defense (16.4 points allowed per game). Senior running back Tel Tel Long leads the rushing attack with 435 yards and six touchdowns on the season.
The defense has been lights out, allowing no more than 14 points in four of the team’s first five games. The Gators are ranked among the state leaders in rushing and passing defense as opponents are only gaining around 50 yards per game on the ground against GHS. Senior linebacker Gray Price leads the unit with 24 solo tackles, 47 total tackles, five for loss, and three fumble recoveries.
Circle the Date: October 13 vs. Franklin-Simpson
The Gators have won the last two in the series and will look to make it three in a row when they host Franklin-Simpson on October 13. The Wildcats are 5-0 at time of publication and amongst the top teams in Class 4A.
South Warren (4-1)
Best Win to Date: 46-28 at Southwestern
After a state title in 2021, the Spartans took a small step back in 2022 with a 6-6 record. The 2023 iteration of coach Brandon Smith’s program seems to be back on track with those great South Warren teams of recent memory. South won its first four games by double digits before dropping a 38-35 thriller at Manual in Louisville.
Quarterback Bryce Button picked up where he left off in 2022 and then some, averaging 317 passing yards per game with 16 touchdowns and only four interceptions. His passing statistics ranks him at the top of 5A and amidst the top ten statewide. Button has thrown for three TDs in four of five games, including a five-touchdown, zero-interception performance in the Spartans’ home opener against Henderson County.
Boasting one of the state’s stiffest defenses, South’s Colton Veltkamp (five sacks) and Ehtan Reynolds (four sacks) lead a unit with six players who have at least two sacks on the season.
Circle the Date: October 13 vs. Bowling Green
The Spartans dropped both matchups to the Purples in 2022 and will be looking to avenge those in 2023. Neither program has ever won three-straight in the series.
6A
Barren County (3-2)
Best Win to Date: 7-6 vs. Warren East
2. 3. 4. The Barren County Trojans have not won more than four games since the 2019 season when they went 6-5. Starting the season 3-0 has revitalized the program under third-year head coach Tommy Muse. Running back Tate Spillman’s 295 rushing yards and nine touchdowns ranks him among the top rushers in Class 6A. Senior Austin Sewell is also having a solid season on the ground with 57 rushes for 217 yards and four scores.
Defensively, the Trojans are led by defensive end Jonathan Wilson and linebacker Waylon Clemmons. The pair have combined for more than 50 solo tackles and nearly 70 total tackles. Wilson leads the team with four sacks and Clemmons has tallied three. A 36-35 double overtime loss at crosstown rival Glasgow would devastate most programs; however, Barren County should find some momentum from its improvement. The Scotties defeated the Trojans by 19 and 37 in each of the past two seasons. With a full, district slate ahead, BC has a chance to make some noise in 2023.
Circle the Date: October 27 @ Allen County-Scottsville
Area rivals in different classes hit the gridiron for their yearly matchup. The Patriots eked out an 18-14 win in 2022. What will the 2023 game have in store for the fans?
Warren Central (1-4)
Best Win to Date: 40-26 vs. Butler County
Warren Central kicks off its introduction into Class 6A at the end of the month when it welcomes Central Hardin for a September 29 matchup. The Dragons have had spells of explosiveness on both sides of the ball and are led by Devontre Patterson on offense. The senior has logged 40 rushes for 266 yards and three scores, while catching seven passes for 193 yards and a touchdown.
Senior linebacker Yzir Gray leads the team on defense with 27 solo tackles, nine tackles for loss, two sacks, and a fumble recovery. Patterson is second on the team with 17 solo tackles and 21 total tackles. After going 5-5 in the 2022 regular season, expectations were high around the Dragon program coming into 2023. Despite a 1-4 start, Central still has the tools to make some noise in the second half of the season. Third-year coach Mark Nelson will have his program ready to compete.
Circle the Date: September 22 vs. Daviess County
Although not a district game, the Dragons will get their first taste of 6A action when the Panthers visit this Friday. A win would propel Central into its district slate with momentum.
