For the third consecutive year, the Bowling Green Purples have advanced to the state semifinals. BGHS won 49-10 against Graves County Friday night, extending their overall win streak to 42 games. Mr. Football candidate Nacarius Fant stole the show in the regional final, catching four passes for 168 yards and three touchdowns. Fant also threw a 56-yard touchdown in his impressive playoff performance.
The Graves County defense has struggled all season long, allowing more than 20 points in their last six games. The Purples exploited the GCHS defense, putting up 527 total offensive yards. Blake Pillow and Blue Tisdale were fantastic on the ground yet again for Bowling Green. Pillow ran for 80 yards on only five carries for a touchdown. To go along with Pillow, Tisdale ran for 99 yards and two touchdowns. The rushing game for the Purples was fantastic, but BGHS passing game was the story of the night. On a night where the field was mush and the wind was strong, Bowling Green managed to pass the ball with consistent success. Hayes was 8/11 on the night, finding Fant three times for touchdowns. Hayes wasn’t the only Purple to throw a touchdown, Fant also threw a 56-yard pass to Patrick Simms for six points. Friday night was a big evening for Fant. The Kentucky Mr. Football candidate set a new BGHS record for receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in a season. Fant has caught 22 touchdowns on 1,493 yards in 2013.
Bowling Green’s streak continued in impressive fashion against Graves County. The Purples have had a running clock in all three postseason games to this point.The ‘Jungle D” for BGHS held one of the top offenses in the state to ten points, which was the fewest Graves County scored in 2013. Bowling Green allowed 166 rushing yards, but interceptions from Hunter Rogers and Joseph McIntyre kept the Eagles from scoring more than one touchdown.
The Purples will continue their season next week against John Hardin at BGHS. This is the third straight postseason that Bowling Green will play John Hardin in the state semifinals. Two years ago, BGHS won 62-20 against JHHS. Last season, Bowling Green won on a hook-and-ladder to beat John Hardin 14-13 in Elizabethtown.
