By Jim Mashek -Sporting Times
Football practice took on another dimension this week at Bowling Green High School.
Likewise, six or seven miles south, at South Warren, which boasts an unbeaten football squad, albeit one that has only played six games because of the COVID-19 public health crisis.
Attention to detail was critical on both campuses. It could get a little loud, at times. Coaches stressed fundamentals and execution and players sensed the moment was almost at hand.
South Warren would be playing Bowling Green. Again. In the second round of the KHSAA Class 5A playoffs.
“Of course, you’d like to be able to play more than six games,” South Warren coach Brandon Smith said. “You feel bad for the kids, putting in the work and then not getting a chance to play.
“Our game last week (a 36-6 playoff over Christian County) was the first time we’ve played in a month.”
Meanwhile, at Bowling Green, the Purples were taking care of business against Greenwood, cruising to a 35-7 victory. That left the Purples with a 6-3 record against a typically tough schedule.
“It’s two of the best high school football programs around,” BGHS coach Mark Spader said, “and we’re in the same district … It’s usually a heckuva battle. They’re a really good team.”
South Warren’s defense was the difference in the first game, with the Spartans holding on for a 10-7 victory. Bowling Green twice defeated South Warren in 2019, reaching the Class 5A semifinals.
Bowling Green didn’t score until the final two minutes of the October 3 showdown at BGHS, but Spartans defensive lineman Jake Jackson had an idea his team would be seeing the Purples again in the playoffs.
“It’s going to be really nice, having this game at home,” Jackson said. “We feel like they’ve gotten better since that game … we feel like we’ve gotten a lot better since then. We’re prepared.”
“Of course, you’d like to be able to play more than six games,” South Warren coach Brandon Smith said. “You feel bad for the kids, putting in the work and then not getting a chance to play.
“Our game last week (a 36-6 playoff victory over Christian County) was the first time we’ve played in a month.”
BGHS quarterback Conner Cooper had a brilliant game against Greenwood, passing for 302 yards and four touchdowns. South Warren’s Caden Veltkamp has been steady at the controls, throwing for 1,153 yards and 15 TDs with just two interceptions.
“We need better time management, better ball control than the first game,” Cooper said. “We’ve got to take care of the ball, stress ball security. And we’ve got to have better balance between the run and the pass than the last time.
“I’m a little nervous, yeah, but I’m confident. I like where we’re at.”
Last year’s regular-season game ended with some sniping between a handful of players, prompting the BGHS coaches to pull their players off the field and toward the buses. There were no such theatrics in the rematch, with players from both squads congratulating one another on successful seasons.
“They like to talk,” Jackson said with a smile. “We try … we believe it’s best to speak on the field.”
Cooper believes there’s a healthy respect between the Purples and Spartans.
“There’s a big respect for those guys,” Cooper said. “We don’t really say it, but we know it. The intensity at practice has been impressive. Everybody’s been amped. We know each other, for sure …
“I’ve got a few buddies (at South Warren), but not this week.”
South Warren’s Brandon Smith anticipates more polished offensive football for both teams this time around.
“The first time (against Bowling Green), the execution wasn’t very good. We’d only played two games (beforehand) and there was little practice time.
“Saying that, most of the time this turns into a physical, relatively low scoring game. Physically, we’re in pretty good shape for November.”
BGHS offensive tackle Jackson Littlefield believes a fast start could get the Purples the momentum they need to win and advance.
“If we can punch ’em in the mouth, right away, and establish something, I think that would help,” Littlefield said. “A couple of our coaches have told us seniors that this game will determine whether we have a winning record against South Warren, or not.
“I hate to think about it being our last game. Win and move on. That’s why you play.”
