South Warren almost reached the mountaintop last season. The Spartans finished 13-1, which means just one thing: unfinished business. This year, it’s 4A, not 3A, which ramps up the competition, but doesn’t change team expectations. The season began at WKU against a John Hardin High School squad that looked to start things off on the right foot. After a 7-7 2014 finish that began 2-6, hopes were high. But, not one receiver on the team this year caught a pass in 2014. Quarterback Shay Stone returned, as did many of his running backs, but some holes needed to be filled.
As the Rafferty’s Bowl opened up, South Warren took the opening kickoff and held the ball for over six minutes. Before John Hardin found the scoreboard, the Spartans had put up 23 points. Ryder Litten ran for three scores and threw for a fourth to lead the offense. Austin McElwain picked up a fumble deep in Bulldogs territory and ran it in. He would pass for a score on a toss back, finding Bryan Cummings for a 41 yard touchdown. He also caught Litten’s lone scoring throw from the tight end spot.
South Warren’s defense was a terror most of the evening, giving up just a few big yardage runs and one touchdown pass, which came in the third quarter. If anything negative could be said about the Spartans’ opening week effort, it was a bit of accuracy trouble in the middle quarters from Litten, who settled down and looked much more comfortable in the final stanza. Kayron Namvong rushed 17 times for 54 yards and was the game workhorse, though DeVante Colton chewed up yardage in the second half.
All in all, a solid team effort from a South Warren team that wanted to serve notice to the rest of 4A that they were ready for the move and they’ll be among the best in the classification. 16-14 to Central still hurts, just ask them, but it’s a new season. Sparty seems ready. In week one, they certainly were. South Warren scored the first 23 and cruised 43-12. SWHS heads to Apollo next week and John Hardin plays North Hardin on the road.
Kickoff for SW-Apollo is 7. STBN coverage begins at 6:45.
