With a backfield that is stacked, it is often hard to decide to give the ball to. The Bowling Green Purples are blessed to have that problem, with Blake Pillow and Blue Tisdale in the backfield. The two senior running backs have shown out in the 2013 postseason, scoring a combined nine touchdowns in their two postseason games. It’s important to have that kind of success on the ground, as it tends to open up the passing game. Purples’ quarterback Devin Hayes has Tisdale and Pillow on the ground, and as targets in the air. These two running backs have had immediate success in the playoffs, and throughout their illustrious Bowling Green High School careers.
Since beginning their careers at BGHS, all that Tisdale and Pillow have found was success. The two running backs have contributed to the team’s 41-game winning streak, along with their two state titles. “We’re taking it game by game,” said Pillow. Both players have done the same thing game by game, and that is score touchdowns. Tisdale has scored 54 total touchdowns in his four years as a Purple, and Pillow has scored 38.
With the success of their quarterback this season, the two backs have been running more routes in 2013. Pillow has morphed into a solid slot receiver, catching 31 passes for 575 yards and six touchdowns this season. Hayes looks toward Tisdale out of the backfield, and then Tisdale turns it up field. Tisdale is averaging 15.7 yards per catch and has a long of 82 in 2013. Both players have accumulated over 2,000 total yards in their careers. This stat is even more impressive because for the most part, neither player will play more than two quarters due to their team achieving a large lead.
Tisdale and Pillow have had great careers at Bowling Green, but a third championship will seal their legacy. The two stars are doing what they can to make sure that the goal of a title is achieved. Tisdale has looked unstoppable inside the red-zone, and has scored five rushing touchdowns in the postseason. Pillow has been a durable weapon at receiver and running back. While teams are double covering star receiver Nacarius Fant, Pillow is able to make plays in single coverage. The two backs have opened up the offense in the playoffs, as the Purples have outscored their opponents 97-14 through two games.
Purples’ head coach Kevin Wallace has nothing but compliments for these two players,”They’re good every night, they’re having a great season,” said Wallace. “I hope the Lord blesses them with good health because if so, they are going to continue to be really good.”
With Blake Pillow and Blue Tisdale, the sky is the limit for the remainder of their senior seasons. Bowling Green hits the road this week to play Graves County. The Eagles have struggled to stop the ground game in 2013, so Tisdale and Pillow should be able to show their abilities. Win or lose, these running backs have left a lasting legacy at BGHS as the best tandem in Purple history. With Pillow and Tisdale, their hearts are with their team, not their individual legacies, “We’ve got Graves County this week, we’ve got to stay focused and be prepared,” said Pillow. “We’re not looking at a state title, we’re taking this game by game.”
