10 consecutive wins in the annual high school football kickoff event and 15 straight victories at Western Kentucky University give Bowling Green High School plenty of bragging rights entering Saturday’s 15th edition of the Rafferty’s Bowl.
The Purples, who venture into the 2017 season riding a 27-game win streak and fresh off a 15-0, Class 5A state championship campaign last year, have proven they can win at Houchens-Smith Stadium.
Bowling Green will meet North Hardin at 8 p.m. in the nightcap of the bowl at WKU, as Clarksville Northeast vs. Central Hardin is set to get underway at 5 p.m.
BG and North Hardin have met four previous times, with the Purples owning a 4-0 mark by outscoring the Trojans 115-34 in those contests. The two clubs last met in 2008, with Bowling Green winning 28-7.
Coach Wallace loses a stellar offensive trio of quarterback Clark Payne, running back Jamale Carothers and wide receiver Deangelo Wilson, but returns an experienced group that includes wideout Ziyon Kenner and linebackers Justice Dingle and J’son Beason.
- North Hardin breakdown: The Trojans went 6-5 in 2016 and made it to the opening round of the Class 6A state playoffs, where they fell 41-7 to Eastern. North Hardin returns quarterback Eric Moore (850 yards, 10 TDs, 6 INTs), as well as running back Tavian Starks.
Who: Bowling Green (Class 5A) (0-0) vs. North Hardin (Class 6A) (0-0)
When: Saturday, August 19 | 8 PM (CT)
Where: Western Kentucky University’s Houchens-Smith Stadium
Head Coaches: BG – Kevin Wallace (25th season), North Hardin – Brent Thompson (6th season)
Players To Watch: BG – Junior QB Beau Buchanan, Senior WR Ziyon Kenner
North Hardin – Junior QB Eric Moore, Senior RB Tavian Starks
How To Follow: Twitter, STBNTV.com
Sports Insider Tyler Mansfield can be reached at (270) 935-0007. Follow him on Twitter at @_TylerMansfield
