Even in a downpouring of rain, South Warren’s defense is still dominant.
Forcing four total turnovers – two fumbles and two interceptions – on a soaking wet football field in 50-degree weather, the Spartans put their stout unit up to another challenge – and it answered.
This challenge? Slowing down an explosive Bowling Green offense in one of the biggest regular-season games of the season. While South Warren did exactly that, it was rewarded with a lopsided 38-12 win on Friday over its crosstown rival to capture the Class 5A, District 2 championship and remain undefeated at 9-0.
“I thought there was a lot of sloppy play, but ultimately the guys made plays when they had to make plays,” South Warren coach Brandon Smith said. “Those guys made plays when it mattered – and in these types of games that’s what’s most important.”
The Spartans – ranked No. 2 in 5A in the Kentucky Associated Press poll – had to battle with the No. 3 ranked Purples (7-2) in the first half before completely taking over in the second. The two sides played a scoreless opening quarter before South Warren took a 10-5 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Spartans then went onto outscore Bowling Green 28-7 in the third and fourth quarters to build a comfortable advantage and didn’t look back.
South Warren seniors Clayton Bush and Cameron Harrison led the way from start to finish.
While Bush produced on nearly every defensive play, the WKU commit finished with two interceptions, a fumble and a rushing touchdown. Along with him, Harrison carried the load offensively, rushing for 209 yards and a TD on 26 carries.
“He did a really nice job,” Smith said of Bush. “He made plays. When it mattered most, he stepped up and made plays. He’s a competitor – we’ve got a lot of competitors on that team. I thought that showed up.”
Spartans’ senior quarterback Gavin Spurrier finished 5-of-10 for 73 yards and two TDs.
The two sides played a sloppy, drowned-out opening half.
Between numerous penalties and a drenched field, there was only one touchdown recorded over the course of the first 24 minutes of action – that being an 85-yard blast by Harrison at the 8:22 mark of the second quarter.
Harrison’s score gave South Warren a 7-3 lead, as Bowling Green kicker Dalton Major previously made a 26-yard field goal for the Purples on the opening drive of the period to record the first points of the night.
“I’m just thankful that my coaches and offensive line trust me with this position,” Harrison said. “It was really just a great game plan, and my quarterback – he’s just really smart. I didn’t really do anything … it was all them.”
The Purples cut their deficit to 7-5 at the 5:16 mark after earning two points on a safety. Facing third down from near the goal line, the Spartans snapped a ball over Spurrier’s head and it landed into the back of the end zone.
Clinging to a two-point lead, South Warren tacked on three more points on a 40-yard field goal from Eldar Dervisevic to be up 10-5 at the break. Through two quarters, Harrison had recorded 134 yards and a score on 14 carries, while DeVito Tisdale had 21 yards on 12 carries for Bowling Green.
South Warren completely controlled the second half.
“The second half is kind of our thing,” offensive/defensive lineman and Notre Dame commit Jacob Lacey said. “Coach Smith keeps us in great condition and we knew we’d eventually get the chance to make a big play. That’s what we did – and we made ‘em.”
Outscoring Bowling Green 28-7 in the final two quarters, the Spartans were able to inherit all of the momentum.
Leading 10-5 midway through the third, Bush took a direct snap and leaped over the middle for a one-yard touchdown – just two plays after reeling in a 24-yard reception from Spurrier. Nearly six minutes later, Spurrier tossed a 25-yard TD pass to Caleb Lloyd to push South Warren’s lead to 24-5 entering the fourth.
Trailing by nearly three touchdowns, Bowling Green finally found an answer early in the final quarter, as Buchanan connected with Jordan Dingle for a six-yard score. The scoring drive brought the Purples within 24-12, but that’s as close as they would get.
“Our defense can play on good days and bad days,” Lacey said. “We clutched up there in a few spots. If the defense keeps playing like that, we’ll be good.”
South Warren responded to Bowling Green’s TD – and in a big way – scoring twice in a span of 1:08 on an 11-yard pass from Spurrier to Tanner Gallahair and Luke Burton’s 13-yard run to build a 26-point cushion and seal it.
Now with a district title under their belt, the Spartans will host District 1 opponent Apollo in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs on Nov. 2 at Spartan Stadium. Bowling Green will host Christian County in the opening round at El Donaldson Stadium.
Before the postseason begins, both teams will be in action next week in the their final regular-season tilts. South Warren will travel to Owensboro Catholic for a 7 p.m. kickoff, while the Purples host Bullitt Central at 7 p.m.
“Just take it one game at a time,” said Harrison. “Trusting our coach’s game plan, trusting each other. One big thing (Coach Smith) talks about is trusting each other. These are my brothers, and I’d do anything for them. I’m just really happy to be with this group.”
BGHS – 0 5 0 7
SWHS – 0 10 14 14
Second quarter
BG – Major 26 field goal, 11:09
SW – Harrison 85 run (Dervisevic kick), 8:22
BG – Safety, 5:16
SW – Dervisevic 40 field goal, 1:55
Third quarter
SW – Bush 1 run (Dervisevic kick), 8:45
SW – Spurrier 25 pass to Lloyd, 2:57
Fourth quarter
BG – Buchanan 6 pass to Dingle (Major kick), 9:01
SW – Spurrier 11 pass to Gallahair (Dervisevic kick), 4:37
SW – Burton 13 run (Dervisevic kick), 3:29
