The first three weeks of the 2018 Kentucky high school football season are already in the books – and there are a pair of rival teams that are both undefeated entering Week 4 action.
Those two schools, you ask? None other than Bowling Green and South Warren.
Now, both programs have been dominant for quite some time, but the two sides have already played some top-tier opponents through three weeks – and I’ll be honest; I did not expect the Spartans – and especially the Purples – to have unscathed records at this point.
Bowling Green, as it does each season, always schedules tough teams to play early in the year as it works to prepare for the postseason.
The Purples have most certainly been the tougher club throughout the past three weeks.
Bowling Green has played three straight Class 6A teams to open the season. The Purples kicked off the campaign with a 20-13 win over Central Hardin in the Rafferty’s Bowl, followed that outing with a 44-7 dismantling of Pleasure Ridge Park and most recently upset St. Xavier – and former coach Kevin Wallace – 24-21 in overtime last Friday.
As those all are impressive victories, what’s been even more impressive is the play of junior running back/cornerback DeVito Tisdale through three weeks.
Known for his play on the defensive side of the ball, Tisdale has emerged as the Purples’ leading rusher and has ran for 410 yards and four touchdowns on 61 carries. He’s also racked up over 100 yards and a TD on the receiving end.
Many major college football programs have taken notice of Tisdale’s eye-catching play, as in the past two weeks he’s received scholarship offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Georgia Tech, Louisiana State, Mississippi and Mississippi State, among others.
Tisdale – currently listed as a four-star prospect out of the Class of 2020 – holds scholarship offers from 13 schools.
South Warren, on the other hand, has been dominating week-by-week.
The Spartans, who last season defeated Bowling Green in the Class 5A quarterfinals in the two sides’ second-ever meeting, have earned wins over Hopkinsville, Warren Central and Franklin-Simpson – the defending Class 4A state champion.
Last Friday against the Wildcats, South Warren jumped out to a 36-0 lead and never looked back as it recorded a 36-14 victory. It marked the Spartans’ second straight win over Franklin-Simpson, as they took a 36-7 win in 2017.
South Warren – a veteran team loaded with experience – has been led offensively this year by a new 1-2 punch. That new combo? Senior quarterback Gavin Spurrier and running back Cameron Harrison.
Spurrier – grandson of the “Head Ball Coach” Steve Spurrier – has passed for 471 yards and seven touchdowns while completing 30-of-41 passes. Harrison has emerged as the Spartans’ leading rusher with 195 yards and two TDs, while also reeling in six receptions from Spurrier for 123 yards and three more scores.
So, Bowling Green and South Warren are both playing pretty good football right now. What exactly does that mean?
It means that it all boils down to October 19 at 7 p.m. at South Warren High School – the night of meeting No. 3 between the Purples and Spartans. And, folks, this could be the best one yet.
Week 9 is just around the corner.
