Rain filled the sky and also covered the field at South Warren High School as the Spartans hosted Franklin-Simpson as part of their homecoming festivities. Though the two schools only stand 13 miles apart geographically, it was the first time the Wildcats and the Spartans had ever met on the gridiron. The 4A clash started ugly and then got worse. A mistake-filled first half featured fumbles on both sides and South Warren quarterback Ryder Litten’s fourth interception of the season. This one came in the end zone and stopped what would have been the game’s first points.
The star of the first half may as well have been the weather, but the penalties and ball security issues certainly came in a close second. Kayron Namvong ended the stalemate around the midway point of the second quarter. He ran the ball efficiently, totalling 52 yards on 11 carries. His nine yard touchdown run served as the only scoring play of the half for either team. It was 7-0 Spartans at the half, with the outcome very much in question due to the conditions and the miscues. Defensively, both teams did a solid job against the run, which was more expected for the home team than for the visitors. What was clear in the first 24 minutes was just how much different the SWHS offense looks when the quarterback is reticent to pull the football down and run from the pocket. Litten, both due to the injury and the less-than-secure footing, was more a decoy and a pocket passer and as a result, the usual crisp feel was absent.
In the second half, South Warren certainly wasn’t blemish-free, particularly in the penalty department, but Kayron Namvong and CJ Hayes simply took the football game over and ensured the victory. Namvong, named Bluegrass Cellular Player of the Game, rushed 20 times for 197 yards and three TDs. He was two yards from a fourth on a 74 yard scamper in the fourth quarter. Ryder Litten ran the ball once, on a broken play at the two yard line, and he scored. CJ Hayes picked off two Jackson Caudill passes and also performed on the offensive side of the ball. The scoreboard showed 27-0 when it was all said and done, but it wasn’t a clean report card to say the least.
South Warren breathes a bit as they have a chance to get healthy during the bye week before traveling to Warren East on October 9th. Franklin-Simpson hosts Warren Central next Friday night. STBN coverage begins with the State Farm Pregame show at 6:45.
