Warren East looks to pull off upsets in consecutive weeks and return to the region championship game for the first time since 2012
By Perry Swack – Sporting Times
Warren East Raiders (4-5) @ Allen County-Scottsville Patriots (4-3)
Patriot Stadium – October 27, 2020 – 7:00pm
Last Game
Warren East upended Russell County, 33-14
Allen County-Scottsville defeated Franklin-Simpson, 50-28
2020 Meeting
Allen County-Scottsville ran away from Warren East, 34-14 on Homecoming, back on October 16. The Raiders took an early 14-7 second quarter lead off of a Nolan Ford 41-yard touchdown pass to Tray Price. ACS quarterback Trace McIntyre was injured briefly in the second quarter, leading to backup Payton Cope connecting with senior wideout Jax Cooper on a 36-yard touchdown pass to tie the game. A Landon Witcher 14-yard TD run gave the Patriots a 21-14 lead heading into the halftime break. McIntyre returned to lead the Patriots to the victory, including a 22-yard TD pass to Cooper midway through the final frame that put the Raiders away.
Last Five Meetings
2020 – Warren East 14 @ Allen County-Scottsville 34
2019 – Warren East 25 @ Allen County-Scottsville 27 (4A Playoffs)
2019 – Allen County-Scottsville 27 @ Warren East 10
2018 – Warren East 23 @ Allen County-Scottsville 20
2017 – Allen County-Scottsville 13 @ Warren East 17
Preview
Last week, Warren East earned its first playoff win since 2014. The Raiders knocked off previously undefeated Russell County, 33-14. Nolan Ford threw for four touchdowns in the victory, connecting on 12-of-21 passes for 281 yards. The senior also rushed for 56 yards on 15 carries and one touchdown. Running back KJ Alexander rushed for 78 yards on 22 carries as well, while wide receivers Tray Price and DeSean Gilbert each caught six passes and two touchdowns. Price tallied 160 yards receiving, while Gilbert chipped in 121 yards.
The Patriots ran through the Wildcats of Franklin-Simpson by a score of 50-28, piling up five rushing touchdowns. Trace McIntyre rushed eight times for 139 yards and two scores. Dillon Rookstool (89 yards, TD) and Landon Witcher (86 yards, 2 TD) nearly eclipsed 100 yards as well. Cody Miller, Rookstool, and Chris Holland each recorded 12 tackles in the opening-round win.
Prediction
Allen County-Scottsville 28, Warren East 20
In the regular season victory over the Raiders, the Patriots held WE to only 13 rushing yards. Coach Jeff Griffith’s club is averaging 123 yards per game, and the team will need to be near that number again if they hope to have a chance at knocking off Allen County in Scottsville. The quarterbacking play of Ford has also been a huge bonus for the Raider offense. The senior is averaging around 150 yards per game through the air and thrown 15 touchdowns to only two interceptions.
Coach Brad Hood’s club is incredibly balanced on both sides of the ball, and this is why I think the Patriots will move on to the region championship game for the first time since 2010 – the season ACS reached the state finals. In the regular season meeting, the club ran 39 times for 244 yards – led by McIntyre’s 94 yards. Four players recorded at least 28 yards. The three-headed rushing attack of McIntyre, Witcher, and Rookstool will continue their dominant season on the ground. The McIntyre-Cooper combination is also deadly through the air.
Each week when I write about the Patriots, I mention the same names. It may seem repetitive, but it works. ACS moves on to the region finale behind its studs.
Next Week
The winner of Warren East and Allen County-Scottsville will travel to the winner of Logan County and Hopkinsville for a December 4 meeting and a trip to the state semifinals on the line.
