Bowling Green & Hart County left to carry the torch for the SOKY region
By Perry Swack
In recent history, the southcentral Kentucky area has been a hotbed for talented football teams. During the 2010s, it surprised no one if three teams featured in the state championship game. However, the ball bounced differently in 2023. While eight reached the second round, only two teams survived to play in the state quarterfinals. Perennial Class 5A power Bowling Green hosts Fairdale, and Class 3A upstart Hart County puts its undefeated season on the line as it welcomes Union County to Munfordville. Will both cruise to the state semifinals or will their season be cut short? Continue reading for in-depth previews on the Purples and Raiders.
(Rankings are reflective of the KHSAA RPI within class)
#24 Fairdale (7-5) @ #4 Bowling Green (9-3)
Bowling Green continues its chase for a state title on Friday when the Purples host the Bulldogs of Fairdale. Bowling Green has won eight of its last nine games, including its opening two playoff games by a combined score of 99-9. Fairdale hopes to provide a stiffer test for the Purples after cruising in its first two playoff games over North Bullitt (34-12) and at Grayson County (41-22).
The Louisville-based school relies heavily on the run game, rushing the ball nearly four times for every pass attempt (367 rushing attempts vs. 101 pass attempts). Xavier Burks leads the Bulldogs with 918 yards on 113 carries and 11 scores. Leedrick Washington has rushed 111 times for 753 yards and has also scored 11 touchdowns on the ground. Fairdale’s quarterback Jerrel Mason has completed 40-of-77 passes for over 600 yards on the season. In the Bulldogs’ opening round playoff game, the offense rushed 28 times and passed only eight. Much of the same can be expected on Friday against the Purples.
Defensively, Maki Duncan leads the Bulldogs with 72 total tackles (seven for losses). Junior defensive back Kwame Anderson is among the state leaders with six interceptions on the season. As a team, Fairdale has recovered eleven fumbles.
The Purples will be looking for a 17th region title this weekend. It would also be the program’s fourth title in five seasons. In the team’s 51-3 demolition of Graves County, quarterback Deuce Bailey continued his fine form with 10-for-13 passing for 154 yards and two scores. Sophomore wideout Trevy Barber caught five passes for 68 yards and a score. Senior running back Javen Huddleston rushed nine times for 41 yards and a TD.
Friday night will be a test of strength vs. strength when the Bowling Green passing game tests the versatile Fairdale defense. Bailey has thrown for nearly 3000 yards on the season (250 per game), while the Bulldogs are allowing only 91 yards per game through the air. When Fairdale has the ball, they will be swarmed by a BG defense that features six players with at least 60 total tackles. Jayden Axson leads the team with 80, but Grayson Newman (79) and Max Buchanon (78) are right behind him. Linebacker Montez Trussell led the way last week with nine tackles and a fumble recovery. As a team, the Purples have picked off 17 passes and recovered 11 fumbles.
Fairdale is playing its best football at the right time. The Bulldogs will find some success on the ground, but in the end, the Purples will provide too much firepower through the air. I predict Bowling Green to advance and host the winner of Owensboro and Atherton on Black Friday.
Bowling Green 35, Fairdale 13
