South Warren continues to prove just how driven they are to erase the semifinal disappointment of a season ago. Last week on the road at Apollo, a running clock greeted the home team before halftime. On Friday for the home opener, the Greenwood Gators were on the docket. Led by sophomore quarterback Jackson Adams and his gaudy early-year rushing numbers, Chris Seabolt’s team entered the contest 2-0 and one of the brightest surprises of the 2015 campaign.
Unfortunately for Greenwood, a squad clearly on the right path, South Warren High School is just, well, really good.
A running clock last week and most predictions had Greenwood keeping this one out of that territory on Friday, but those predictions were incorrect. The Spartans, behind nine carries for 128 yards and 2 TDs from quarterback Ryder Litten, found themselves on top 14-0 early in the contest. Before the intermission, it would be 43-0, and finally 43-7 as Adams scored late in the half on a keeper.
South Warren scored in virtually every way imaginable. In addition to LItten’s rushing touchdowns, Devante Colton took one home from 60 yards out. Speaking of 60 yards, Bryan Cummings ran a punt back that exact distance for a TD. A blocked punt resulted in an Austin McElwain recovery and TD, and a bad Greenwood snap bounced high and fell into the arms of lineman Kyle Bohr, who finished in the end zone as well. LItten was named Bluegrass Cellular player of the game on the Sporting Times broadcast. He has won the honor in back-to-back weeks.
One thing Brandon Smith mentioned after the win at Apollo was subpar play from the second and third unit. Against Greenwood, that would not be the case. RB Clayton Bush found space to run on the left, then would find it on the right, and while the Spartans nor the Gators put points on the scoreboard in the second half, South Warren’s offensive and defensive reserves played much more soundly and their coach came away satisfied with their effort.
It gets no easier for the Gators as they travel to play Franklin-Simpson next week. South Warren stays home to face off with Central Hardin, who sport a big win on the road at Paducah-Tillman on their resume. Coverage from SWHS begins at 6:45 with the State Farm Pre-Game show and will, as always, feature a conversation with head coach Brandon Smith. Jason Martin and Jimmy Stratman will be on the call.
South Warren in charge in 4A and look to be firing on all cylinders. Two running clocks and scores of 43-12, 42-6, and on Friday against Greenwood, 43-7.
