As the inaugural Citizens First Bowl played out to be a success last fall, the event returns for a second consecutive season on Saturday evening at Houchens-Smith Stadium at Western Kentucky University.
The bowl – which is presented by Citizens First Bank and Leachman Buick-GMC and features all four high schools in the Warren County Public Schools system – kicks off at 5 p.m. with South Warren taking on Warren Central. Warren East and Greenwood will meet in the nightcap at 8 p.m.
An event that brings all four county high schools together to the same field on the same night, the Citizens First Bowl was established thanks to the collaboration from Citizens First Bank, Leachman Buick-GMC, Warren County Schools and the entire community.
Having Warren East, Greenwood, South Warren and Warren Central all playing at the same location calls for a big crowd – and fans from all four schools most certainly made their way to Houchens-Smith Stadium last August and supported the bowl.
A year ago, at the inaugural Citizens First Bowl, an estimated 3,000 tickets were sold. And, because of that, each team received $8,000, which can be used to assist with many expenses throughout the season.
Tickets for the 2018 Citizens First Bowl are on sale now. They can be purchased for $8 in advance and will increase to $10 at the gate.
Saturday’s matchups pit the same two teams against the other pair for the second straight season.
Meeting in the opener, South Warren defeated Warren Central 43-6 in last year’s bowl and is the heavy favorite this time around.
The Class 5A Spartans – led by a veteran defensive unit – opened their season with a 49-17 win last Friday at Hopkinsville. The Dragons, a Class 4A club, fell 28-6 at Greenwood in their season opener.
In South Warren’s game at Hoptown, WKU commit Clayton Bush scored four touchdowns – two coming on the defensive side of the ball – while quarterback Gavin Spurier passed for 170 yards and a TD.
Warren Central – a team that’s been working hard to re-build its program – presented a more disciplined and organized squad in its matchup at Greenwood. Quarterback Xavier Ingram scored the Dragons’ lone touchdown on a 17-yard run late in the second quarter and is one of the team’s leaders.
South Warren has won all three past meetings against Warren Central.
Last season’s meeting between Warren East and Greenwood was an all-out shootout.
The Raiders and Gators exchanged scores all throughout the night before WEHS ultimately reeled off a 37-31 win to claim the legendary opossum. Coach Jeff Griffith’s group will be looking to hold onto it another year come Saturday.
Warren East dropped a 28-14 decision at Portland, Tenn. last week, while Greenwood won 28-6 at home against Warren Central. Raiders’ quarterback Nolan Ford threw for 171 yards and two TDs, and Gators’ running back Triston Wilson ran for 122 yards and three scores.
Greenwood is 7-5 against Warren East dating back to 1998.
The Citizens First Bowl is in the last of a two-year contract but is expected to continue into the future.
